Monday, April 4, 2011

Unexpected Inspirations

Saturday afternoon, I got an unexpected phone call from a pastor of a church across the state. He said a lady who's attended his church for a long time often talked about Steve and me, and also about my parents and sisters. (My dad was an interim pastor at this particular church back when my sisters and I were teenagers and then later, when Steve and I were on the road, we sang a couple times at that same church.)

The pastor said that this woman (who was only 63) passed away unexpectedly and it occurred to him that it would be especially meaningful for her family if someone from the Smith/Campbell clan could participate in her funeral. He called Steve and I to find out if it was even a possibility before mentioning it to the family.

As it turns out, I was able to arrange my schedule to go and when he called the family to tell them of my availability, he said they were just absolutely delighted. I am so honored to be invited to be a part of their lives in this special way, especially after twenty-five years!

So I’ll be leaving the house in just a few minutes (at 6:30 am) for the 6-hour trip. I’ll sing at the funeral, stay overnight at a hotel, and then be back home by Tuesday evening.

Unfortunately, Sarah woke up with a fever this morning, mixed in with a case of overall lethargy and “blah-ness;” however, since she doesn’t seem to be terribly sick, I feel quite comfortable leaving her in Steve’s very capable hands.

Sarah just came into the room a minute ago to recite a poem she’s memorizing for a class at school. I was so taken by the beauty of the poem that I wanted to share it with you here. There’s nothing like starting off a new week with an unexpected inspiration and I most am happy to share the Smithellaneous Stage with Maya any old time. (I emphasized in bold the phrases I especially love.)

Touched by an Angel
by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave

And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

Ahhhh. I am leaving on my trip feeling inspired.

May your day be full of loveliness and unexpected inspirations.

sarah beach

9 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Guerrina said...

You and Steve impacted both my son and I with your songs and singing. One summer we were invited to meet and stay with friends in Myrtle Beach for a vacation. We listened to "Double Dose" ALL the way down from CT! Such joy to hear my son say, "Rewind! Rewind, Mommy!"

Sue G said...

I recently was inspired by a song someone sent me. It is called "Blessings" by Laura Story. It is a beautiful song, and it was sent to me by someone who heard my story (the recent good news) and thought it was perfect for me.

I will send it to you via email.

Anonymous said...

I know your presence and your singing will be a blessing for that family, Becky!


I like Maya Angelou. I checked out (of the library)
her book Renee Marie of France for Preschool this month. But, I haven't read it to the children yet. Our theme for April is Cafe de Musee, and we are pretending that our class room is a museum in Paris.
We have open umbrellas in the middle of our two round tables, so we really do look like a cafe. Friday the children sponge-painted Monet's water lilies, and today they did two paper cuts ala Henri Matisse style.

mrs pam

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