Summer Changes…

As many of you know, I play in a band.  Music is something I love and have been pursuing for many years.  We’ve been traveling pretty heavily over the past two years and have had some small successes, enough to keep hope alive and us working hard.  A funny thing about being in a band is that maybe 10% of your time is spent on writing and playing music, the other 90% of your time is spent calling, talking, meeting, and generally just getting told “no.”  No you can’t play here, no we can’t play you on the radio, no you can’t go on tour with us, no you can’t have a interview in the magazine, no that date isn’t available, no blah blah blah…you get the point.  I would venture to say that for every yes, no matter what its about, there are roughly 23 no’s and as you can imagine it all becomes desperately draining emotionally. 

Had things gone as planned, which if your in a band you learn they rarely do, we would be on tour right now until August, getting to see the whole country.  Things happened that were out of our control and the whole tour fell through.  You would think I would be bummed right now, but I can truly say I am not.  Usually I am bothered and usually I care too much and usually I worry far too much in a very unhealthy way.  But my amazing wife has helped me put perspective on everything over the past few months and realize that whatever goes bad for the band is just that…for the band.  Not for us as a family and not for me as a husband.  Sovereignty.  Sweet sovereignty.  I feel it deep within and I rest in it.  We’ve worked hard and for some reason it didn’t work out and I’m ok with that.

I will enjoy this summer.  I will spend the maximum amount of time possible with my wife.  I will read more.  I will get to know friends better.  I will try to serve more.  I will try to give grace freely.  I will search for what it is that God wants of me.  I will surf.  I will ride my bike.  I will camp.  I will dig deep.  I will learn to love better.  I will search for beauty in all things.