MTC #142 - Being a Team Player

It's funny how life is so full of irony.

Yesterday morning, I was trying very hard to get my nine year-old excited about his soccer game. He simply didn't want to go, and the harder I tried to convince him, the worse the situation seemed to get. I spoke of his responsibility to the team and how he'd be letting his fellow team members down if he didn't show up and play. I reminded him of all the time he had put into practicing and how he had some real talent in soccer. In a grand desperation attempt, I finally told him that if he didn't go play, he'd have to explain to the coach why he made that decision and why he chose to not be a team player.

Turns out, I needed that counsel just as much as my son did.

This morning was a VERY hard rehearsal for me. I was tired and became quickly annoyed at having to stop seemingly every five notes to try and fix a pitch problem (many of those problems being with the bass section). I love our associate director, Ryan Murphy, and he was doing exactly what he needed to be doing in trying to prepare us for the broadcast. But I was just struggling. And then I just wanted to yell to no one in particular "Why, oh why, do we always have so many problems singing in tune every freakin' week?!" 

As I was wallowing in my frustration and poor attitude, I suddenly remembered the talk with my son the day before. And then I realized that all my talk about being a team player and living up to my commitment to be part of a team, applied directly to me in that moment (and certainly in moments to come). The choir was my team, and Ryan was my coach for the day, and I needed to have an attitude adjustment so that we, as a team, could sing praises to God in a way that would please Him, and inspire the audience. 

So, just as my son eventually got out of the car and joined his team to play (even scoring a goal!), I made the decision to join my choir team--with more patience and faith this morning. 

And that decision made all the difference.

Until next time, God be with you.

My choir "team" today