The Gift of Humility and Was God Generous with me!

I know that humility is a virtue on which I need to work.  I have to admit that I have not prayed to receive this gift, but God knows best, and He does things in His own time, in His own way.  I was given the gift of humility yesterday, and I was given this gift in a way that I will never forget.

I have to back up to Saturday.  This was the first time that I sang at Mass.  I was assigned to sing with a wonderful singer.  We did sound good together, she and I.  We had practiced together, and I did learn a lot from her.  She has a beautiful voice.  She took the lead, and I followed.  It was a success.  I left Mass feeling good about our help with the liturgy. 

Fast forward to Sunday Mass.  The cantor for the Mass did not show up.  I knew that our music director  would be playing and singing alone.  He has a magnificent voice!  I volunteered to help, if he would sing with me.  He did, but I missed cues, notes, and during the Lamb of God, I sang the wrong song.  Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious!  It was terrible!  I hung my head in shame.  I noticed the smell, too.  I had been sweating so much that I smelled.  I slunk out of church avoiding eyes and greetings. 

Brian had been kind.  He assured me that things would get better.   He knew I had been shaking, but I knew I had learned humility yesterday.  Looking down at the Mass and the congregation from that loft opened my eyes and my ears to the wonder of a beautifully sung Mass and how much music can enhance the liturgy or detract from it. 

I will try again another day, but I will never forget Sunday.  God blessed me with an early Christmas gift.  I learned humility through failure.  I learned that through failure, I had been blessed because I could no longer look upon the ministry of music in the same way again.  The seasoned cantors make this ministry look easy.  Trust me when I say this, It’s not an easy ministry.  Timing.  Singing.  Sound.  These elements all matter.  I screwed up, but I was given a good does of humility. 

Thank You, Lord.  You knew.  I learned.  Thank You!