The Life of a Band Wife

It's pretty much official- we're going full time! I have learned when God calls you to do something, you hop up, say ok, get your big girl pants on, and get ready for a ride. Too bad it's not always so easy. I tend to stand up like I'm 90, a little unsteady, say, "well give me a little bit to think this over," and tell God to hold on while I try to decide which big girl pants I want to wear. And the ride doesn't always promise to be comfortable. Some days may be like riding in a stretch Hummer limo, while most other days may seem more like I'm a passenger in a 1970 Chrysler Station Wagon- with no a/c. Thank goodness I serve a gracious and patient God who has laid a burden on our hearts to go full time with the band. Thank goodness I serve a God who shouted and made His voice clear, telling us to trust Him and let Him have the reigns. And thank goodness I serve a God who has an amazing plan for us that we can only dream of.

Before we were married, we sat down and discussed the "what if's" in life. What if.... the band went full time? We both agreed we would be willing to sacrifice whatever, if God called us in that direction. Well, here we are! We've been feeling the itch for about six months now. It seemed as though every sermon, bible study, and devotion was screaming "follow Me," "have faith in Me," "trust Me," "step out of your comfort zone," "I have a purpose for you. Just trust." You get the picture. Andrew and I would even be at different churches and hear the same sermon, telling us to let go of our plans and seek God's instead. So we prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Then Andy got word that he may lose his job. So we prayed some more. One day we realized we weren't praying for Andy to keep his job like we would have normally (who wants to lose a steady job?!). We didn't even think about praying for him to keep his job. Instead we prayed for direction. Well, Andy lost his job along with 59 other Edwardsville school employees. We have peace because we know God has a different direction for us. We're opening all doors. We haven't given up on teaching. Andy has applied at various other schools, but we know God will close the doors and leave one for us to enter.

So there it is. The beginning of our journey down a little narrower path. It's going to be busy, we will probably be seeing each other even less, and I may not be able to get my QT cappuccino for my drive home every morning. These are all earthly things and in the end will be worth the sacrifice.

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10