“Multitasking”…
Now there’s a word that has become a part of our pop vocabulary thanks in no small part to the evolution of the personal computer. Used to be, in the dark ages, a personal computer could accomplish running only one program at a time-usually whatever program you loaded from the 5.25 inch floppy. Go ahead… look it up. As computers have now evolved, you can successfully run multiple applications simultaneously dependent only on your RAM, ROM, processor speed and OS.
Now me personally? Not so much. RAM and ROM have to do with usable memory, and it seems I may be going the wrong direction with that one. Processor speed? Let’s not even talk about that. I don’t want to think about all the times my “conversational train” has left the station full speed ahead only to derail in a cloud of dust at the first curve followed by the terrifying question: “Does anyone know what I was talking about”? Multitask? Forget it. I guess that’s why I was so relieved to learn that the human brain isn’t even capable of pulling that off. The best we can hope for is the learned ability to switch our “TV channels” of thought quickly enough to keep multiple things going in the right direction at the same time. Even here I’m a bit behind. Seems I’m less like the digital/Bluetooth variety, and more like the “hardwired to the set” kind.
We have finally turned “The VIrge” westbound and are headed back toward Texas. It will still be a while till we arrive, but it sure feels good to know that she awaits somewhere out there through the windshield.
We just finished up a 5-week visit in the Northeast with a planned evening concert in Ohio. I really had pretty low expectations about God’s blessings here, mostly because of my dubious reasons for scheduling this event. This was the church where I held my first ministry position. I wrote of my time here during YEAR ONE in ON THE VIRGE. Being “home” yet again, this time for an extended period, held even more blessings. Men who I sang with forty years ago made special efforts to spend time together over more than a few meals. Visits with Pastors I served with in my career didn’t hurt either. Let’s just say that my RAM and ROM were quite full of wonderful memories.
Yet I had planned being in the area again for two reasons. First, this Church hosts a Ladies Retreat each September, and Shaunda really wanted to be a part of it. Secondly, with all the ladies away, that would provide me some “guy time” centered around several bars… (Got your attention yet?) musical “bars” that is complete with measures and a few notes that came out flat when they weren’t supposed to. You see, these were two men that I sang with in a trio nearly forty years ago. They remain active in this church. One is the senior Pastor, the other a Deacon. Both still sing regularly. Wow, talk about stability. Both of these men are older than me, albeit not by very much. They were however older enough that when I was young and single and “coming off the road” (when I stopped touring) they were already married and had children. In was in these two men that I saw exactly what I wanted to become: a Godly husband and Father. And to think, they thought all those Monday evening rehearsals spent pounding out parts and learning to blend our voices was about the music. It wasn’t. I was watching closely, and trying to learn what it was that I needed to become.
As Shaunda pulled out for the retreat with the “girls”, I set out on making music one more time. Thursday night band rehearsal for a “throw together” band included the Church Worship Pastor on drums and a long time friend on bass. We were also joined by a guy who was a part of my first group, and still one of the finest guitar players you will find anywhere, in or out of the studio. Man, did I enjoy making music with them.
Friday night was vocal night. My two friends and I were joined by the “new guy” who took my place in that trio. He’s just a rookie. He’s only been singing with them for the past thirty years. A couple of familiar quartet tunes and more than a few run-throughs of a couple old trio tunes and we were off to much more pressing matters… like hot apple pie and coffee at a local eatery. We laughed until my head hurt, literally. Maybe it wasn’t just the laughter that brought on the headache. Could’ve been the fact that we stayed out half the night. Why it was nearly 10:30 pm till I got in bed. No small feat for me.
As for me, I had already been blessed with everything I had come for. But could God really bless even more when this was my primary motivation? Shaunda made it back Saturday afternoon. She talked about the Ladies Retreat nonstop until Saturday evening. Seems that while I was being “blessed”, she was as well. Hmmm… could it be that although I cannot multitask, God can?
I spoke Saturday morning for a men’s breakfast and then presented STORIES FROM THE ROAD at two Sunday morning services. This LIVE WORSHIP EVENT reminds us all to never take one moment of life for granted because “we may never pass this way again”. To say that the Spirit of God walked among us those two days may be an understatement. Perhaps it was the family that was also back “home” for a memorial service and expressed that the services might “just have been for them”. Maybe it was the tears that freely flowed when I told some of those “stories”. Could have been the many hands that were raised in worship or perhaps those who made critical decisions at the close of the services. I’m not sure what God was doing, but it was apparent that He was doing many things at the same time. He is an awesome multitasker.
Soon it was time for Sunday night’s concert. I was hoping for a fun evening, relaxed, intimate and moving. I would get all of that, and so much more.
The evening opened with music provided by several of the groups from this church. The nearly full house seemed to enjoy each one. Everyone appeared glad just to be there, and they seemed to be very proud of their Church. Appreciative applause followed each tune, and congregational singing rang out between each group. Did I mention the singing? I dare say I have never heard any better. It was strong, it was heart felt, it was powerful.
And then it was time for the “Old Men’s Trio”, although I’m not sure it wasn’t meant as the “Old Men’s” trio. We would do only one song. Come on… what did you expect? It’s been a long time. I will tell you that with the first unison line the years seemed to just melt away. Then we were joined by that “new guy” who just happens to be an amazing first tenor. Add to that the “throw together band” and a powerful song about the Second Coming of Christ and it seemed that the only thing the congregation could do was shout and applaud. All I could do was cry. We closed the evening with a time of worship. Just a couple of songs. I couldn’t take much more or I do believe I might have become a blubbering idiot. I do know this though; I didn’t want to leave that place. I’m not sure anyone else did either.
In the early hours of this morning, Shaunda told me what the retreat had meant to her personally. I would never betray her confidence, but I assure you she said the nicest thing to me she has ever said. I don’t know what went on in the hearts of those who shared in STORIES FROM THE ROAD that morning. I cannot speak for those who sang so beautifully on Sunday night either, nor do I know what God did in the hearts of those with whom I have shared the last few days.
As I glance out the front windshield as we head west, I do however, know two things. I know that God is the “Master of Multitasking”. I was responsible for none of this. This was all about God. He is the One that can do so much with so little. My part? I merely showed up to enjoy a few moments with some dear friends. Moments that I can never get back. Moments never taken for granted because we may never pass this way again.
That’s the view from my window…