Singing His Praises!

#3 Moment.
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

(Author: Ali Edwards)

I sing. I sang in high school show choir (yes, like Glee). I have sung in musicals and lite operas. I sing at church. I have even sung (and been paid to do so) for weddings and funerals. I love it. Singing truly is good for my soul. And not even singing at church. However, at church is where I feel the most rewarded. At church, I sing for God. Singing is my form of prayer. It is how God and I communicate.

When we moved here, I thought “I need to sing”. That led me to the parish that we currently attend, which lead us to many great opportunities and close friends. I sing (tenor!) in the choir, and I also cantor (lead the song?) at Mass sometimes. My one moment was one of those times, just last week, in fact.

I was assigned to cantor last Saturday nights mass. I like singing evening mass because it feels more casual, laid-back – thus I get WAY less nervous. However, last weekend was the 1^st week of Advent. I would be singing music that my fellow parishioners hadn’t heard in nearly a year. And I didn’t have a choir standing behind me, supporting me. In fact, I didn’t even have a pianist, which is really a crutch for me. Just my patient director and one choir-member/friend (and a few friends in the congregation).

During rehearsal, I kept messing up one of the verses on the psalm. The thing with the psalm is that the choir doesn’t sing. And you’re not even IN the choir area. You’re up there. Alone. Feeling very VISIBLE. And with a recorded accompaniment, if you mess up, it’s up to you to get back on track. We also had new mass parts. And again, because there wasn’t a pianist, it was a capella. Very nerve-wracking. And the biggest terror of all… There was a baptism during the service (no biggie). But some of the guests for the baptism were a very stereotypical African-American family. I mean, dressed to the nines (very out of place in my parish); hats and all. And here was this short white girl, about to sing a few spirituals. Awesome choice in music there.

Mass started. And everything CLICKED. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t sweaty (TMI, I know. But it happens to all of us). I didn’t have that “I have to pee” feeling. I could breath. I could hit each and every note. Hell, even my hair and clothes looked good, if I do say so myself!

I honestly have to say I don’t remember details of the mass at all. I just remember thinking “this is going SO well” and feeling very connected to God. I knew God was with me, holding my hand at the ambo while I sailed through the always-knee-shaking psalm. Before I knew, it Mass was over! I sat there for a moment knowing that I had done my best, and it was the best yet. I knew I had pleased God with the talent God has given me. I hoped I had helped others lift up their prayers in song and felt that same connection.

And then they walked over to me. The Hat Family. They said they weren’t sure what to think when they realized this little white girl would be singing a spiritual, but that they thought I nailed it! Since then, I’ve received several compliments from parishioners who attended that Mass.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m doing this for the praise and glory? No. I love to sing. And I love to know that I’ve done something to enhance someone’s spiritual moment, giving them a feeling of peace and prayerfulness. I know that is what singing in church is for me.