I am myself again.
Saturday, while doing early set up at Cumberland Heights for yesterday’s church service, it helped to have a task to concentrate on. Then, while leaving the beautiful grounds, I paid particular attention to the arch over the drivaway. In big letters, it says, “Let Go and Let God”. I literally did one of those “I could have had a V-8″ forehead slaps. Sometimes, these moments just kind of come at you, dontcha’ know?
One other thing about yesterday: worship at a place like Cumberland Heights (it’s a drug and alcohol treatment center) just seems so much more real. Songs that we’ve played a hundred times, that usually bring about polite head nods or applause, at this place they bring forth such raw emotion. You get so used to playing these songs that it becomes routine; yet, after almost every number, I look up and see so many tears. For some people there today, songs like He Touched Me, Lean On Me, Amazing Grace, even my own Piggyback Ride struck a nerve.
I’ve always believed that music is God’s way of giving us just a taste of the ecstacy of Heaven, a fleeting glimpse leaving us wanting to get to His kingdom so that we might experience the real thing. Kind of like walking past a McDonald’s and smelling the french fries. Music touches us in a way so unknown, in a place so hidden within us that it is impossible to describe. I forget that sometimes. That’s why it shocked me to see people so visibly moved by music I had begun to take for granted.
We musicians are there to “Lead them to the Altar”. So many Sundays, whether because the congregation is distracted, or we are, that doesn’t happen as much as we’d like. But not this Sunday. You could see the Holy Spirit embracing every person in that chapel. It is hard to remain in self-pity when you know that you are being given the highest honor: being allowed to do God’s work. It is impossible to not feel all Joy when you see that work bearing fruit. This is why we do what we do. I’m going to try not to forget that again.
I know I’m using a lot of Christian-Speak, but I do not apologise. These are the apropriate words for what I am feeling.
I had a Crocodile Dundee moment yesterday. I offered up the knife of my pain and struggle and dared God. The Lord just smiled at me and said, “That’s not a knife”. He took me to Cumberland Heights and said “THAT’S a knife”.
Lesson learned.
January 15, 2007 at 9:14 am
I can dig it. As the significant other of someone who has been in and out of treatment for virtually almost all of his life since childhood, I can say without even a doubt that you guys made a positive difference in everyone there’s lives that will hopefully help guide them on their path for a long time to come…
January 16, 2007 at 5:46 am
[...] I get what you were saying in this post, Slartibartfast. I really [...]
January 16, 2007 at 6:49 am
His mercies are new every morning, huh? Thank goodness.
January 17, 2007 at 3:44 am
I always tell people I’ve never tried cocaine but it almost killed me. (People in Coda get it) It’s true, though. The years I spent trying to rescue my ex husband from drugs had a worse affect on me than the drugs did on him. (The drama was excellent, though, for some outstanding songwriting)
The ex did a few days at Cumberland. It’s beautiful out there. Very peaceful.
Do you ever go to the 202?
January 17, 2007 at 6:58 am
Sharon, I had not heard of the 202 till your comment. It’s quite interesting, and I’m going to investigate further.
We overheard (you couldn’t help it) conversations between patients and family members whilst shuffling equipment back and forth. You could tell that the family members were hurting greatly. Some were loving, others contentious.
I truly can’t imagine what it was like for you.
January 17, 2007 at 9:04 am
It’s all good. As the gospel according to John and Paul says, “There’s no where you’re supposed to be that isn’t where you’re meant to be…”
You probably know the saying that addicts don’t take lovers, they take hostages. And boy did I have a case of Stockholm syndrome!
I’d fight like hell with him (foreplay) but defend him to anyone else.
The entire experience made me a better person…certainly less judgmental.
And like I said, I sure got some good songs out of it!
The 202 is pretty well known. It’s near the park (Centennial) but I don’t want to give the entire address since I am not sure if they give it out. They used to have pretty good meetings. I haven’t been in years, but I went to Alanon meetings there. (Or as the addicts called us, “Nag-along”)
Also, there used to be Music Row meetings on Wed. afternoons for people in the music biz. Again, for obvious reasons, I can’t give out the address.
Since you brought up Cumberland, would I be out of line to ask you if you are in recovery, or, if you are involved with someone in recovery? Feel free to ignore that last question.
Well, I’ve been up all night, so I better catch some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz’s! I am meeting a blogger this evening.
August 31, 2007 at 6:01 pm
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