TH2: When I decided to get a degree in Organ Performance, it was because I KNEW that God was calling me to do it. (It's a fun story involving the Holy Spirit; I'll post it someday.) My goal, at the time, was to be a Cathedral organist. But it seems that most organists must also conduct a choir from the bench. Additionally, three quarters of conducting class are required for the degree. I have found that the choreographed arm-waving is NOT something I'm good at coordinating (I can't dance, either), so I have to work VERY hard at it. So seriously - not trying to be modest - I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel for some conducting talent, and I can't find any! :)
God bless you, TH2, and thank you for the compliment.
If you KNOW God is calling you to do it - then continue, whatever it entails. I only wish I had such a manifest knowingness of grace in my life.
But, then, Mary might proffer: "I was only talking about organ performance, not conducting"
Well, TH2 proposes this - If performance and conducting are and have always been two components that make up one package, and if you knew that God called you to the organ, then (of course) He already knew that you would eventually have to deal with the conducting aspect of things. Why would He lead you astray? Obviously, He would not. Perhaps He is testing your endurance at this current time.
I would also say that God is permitting you to go through this struggle in your vocation for a purpose(s). Two reasons would be for the general good of those you influence and for His Glory.
Do you have a trusted conductor colleague or friend (that has gone through the experience) that you can go to for advice, help, tips, tricks, encouragement?
TH2, I have no doubt that He is allowing the struggle for a purpose. I KNOW that this is His will, and it's the only reason I persist. I am certainly NOT doing this for myself, because there's no benefit to me, except perhaps spiritually. It is humbling to really have to work at conducting; everything else musically has come to me fairly easily.
I pray for the strength to continue; it would be so easy to quit, but then I feel I would be disobeying God. And that's NOT an option.
Unfortunately, I don't have a trusted colleague, etc. that I can lean on; that's one of the perils of being in a rural area. But Our Blessed Mother listens to me whine and complain, and I take comfort in that.
Thanks for your time and kind words; I know that you pray for me, and I am so grateful for that. You are continually in my prayers as well.
This reminds me of my freshmen and sophomore years of Engineering where I was clearly "in too deep" with my studies because I was no where properly prepared from high school and seriously lacking the support structure to not only succeed in classes but also just simply on weekends (friends). So if I may offer what I can: Do as you are doing, but more so. Lean on our Lady and our Blessed Lord. The ONLY reason why I will graduate (God willing) in two quarters in one of the most ridiculous undergrad majors (and being under qualified) could have ONLY come from the wounded hand of Christ and the Immaculate Heart of our Lady. The more that you lean on them; the more that you pour your heart out to them, the more they will fill you up "one hundred fold". You are in my prayers.
Thanks, Mike. As I've told you before, I think you underestimate yourself. Thanks for praying for me; I will continue to do so for you. I have been "forced" to rely completely on on Our Lord and Our Lady, and ultimately, this is a very good thing, but temporally, it's difficult to not get discouraged.
6 comments:
Are you suggesting that Mary is devoid of talent? Based on what I have heard here, I must vehemently disagree, m'lady.
TH2: When I decided to get a degree in Organ Performance, it was because I KNEW that God was calling me to do it. (It's a fun story involving the Holy Spirit; I'll post it someday.) My goal, at the time, was to be a Cathedral organist. But it seems that most organists must also conduct a choir from the bench. Additionally, three quarters of conducting class are required for the degree. I have found that the choreographed arm-waving is NOT something I'm good at coordinating (I can't dance, either), so I have to work VERY hard at it. So seriously - not trying to be modest - I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel for some conducting talent, and I can't find any! :)
God bless you, TH2, and thank you for the compliment.
If you KNOW God is calling you to do it - then continue, whatever it entails. I only wish I had such a manifest knowingness of grace in my life.
But, then, Mary might proffer: "I was only talking about organ performance, not conducting"
Well, TH2 proposes this - If performance and conducting are and have always been two components that make up one package, and if you knew that God called you to the organ, then (of course) He already knew that you would eventually have to deal with the conducting aspect of things. Why would He lead you astray? Obviously, He would not. Perhaps He is testing your endurance at this current time.
I would also say that God is permitting you to go through this struggle in your vocation for a purpose(s). Two reasons would be for the general good of those you influence and for His Glory.
Do you have a trusted conductor colleague or friend (that has gone through the experience) that you can go to for advice, help, tips, tricks, encouragement?
TH2, I have no doubt that He is allowing the struggle for a purpose. I KNOW that this is His will, and it's the only reason I persist. I am certainly NOT doing this for myself, because there's no benefit to me, except perhaps spiritually. It is humbling to really have to work at conducting; everything else musically has come to me fairly easily.
I pray for the strength to continue; it would be so easy to quit, but then I feel I would be disobeying God. And that's NOT an option.
Unfortunately, I don't have a trusted colleague, etc. that I can lean on; that's one of the perils of being in a rural area. But Our Blessed Mother listens to me whine and complain, and I take comfort in that.
Thanks for your time and kind words; I know that you pray for me, and I am so grateful for that. You are continually in my prayers as well.
This reminds me of my freshmen and sophomore years of Engineering where I was clearly "in too deep" with my studies because I was no where properly prepared from high school and seriously lacking the support structure to not only succeed in classes but also just simply on weekends (friends). So if I may offer what I can: Do as you are doing, but more so. Lean on our Lady and our Blessed Lord. The ONLY reason why I will graduate (God willing) in two quarters in one of the most ridiculous undergrad majors (and being under qualified) could have ONLY come from the wounded hand of Christ and the Immaculate Heart of our Lady. The more that you lean on them; the more that you pour your heart out to them, the more they will fill you up "one hundred fold".
You are in my prayers.
Thanks, Mike. As I've told you before, I think you underestimate yourself. Thanks for praying for me; I will continue to do so for you. I have been "forced" to rely completely on on Our Lord and Our Lady, and ultimately, this is a very good thing, but temporally, it's difficult to not get discouraged.
Post a Comment