One word could describe my childhood: stormy. Growing up in a non-Christian home where both of my parents struggled with alcoholisIoften felt lonely and isolated. I had no one to confide in. But the Lord heard the desperate cries of this small child, and with great tenderness and compassion revealed Himself to me at an early age.
When I was ten I eagerly accepted a
friend's invitation to attend vacation Bible school, where I
heard the plan of salvation. Alone one night, in the darkness of
my bedroom, I asked Jesus to be my personal Savior. Now, despite
the raging storms in my home life, I finally had someone in which
to confide and flee to for protection: God Himself! When the pain
of abuse proved to be too much, I found shelter, safety and
comfort in the Lord’s counsel and love. He was truly my
‘hiding place’.
Turbulence continued into my teen
years. Because I had no real Christian fellowship, my faith did
not mature. I entered into a serious relationship with an
unbeliever, and became engaged to him. Despite this, however, the
Lord still held my hand tightly in His, and marvelously directed
my steps as I journeyed onto college.
In college He encircled me with
many wonderful Christians, who quickly became close friends. I
was drawn to their vibrant and exciting relationships with the
Lord. Also, for the first time I experienced the elation of true
Christian fellowship. The scripture: “this is my commandment
that you love one another” became a reality for me. During
this time I also rededicated my life to the Lord, was baptized in
water, and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My life would
NEVER be the same!
I am very thankful that my new
Christian friends pointed out the perils of marrying an
unbeliever: “for what fellowship has light with
darkness?” So, I terminated my engagement. However, within a
few months I met and fell in love with a wonderful Christian man:
my husband, Wayne, of twenty-nine years! I am so grateful for the
bold counsel of my friends. It spared me from a lifetime of
unhappiness!
I was very fortunate to have
parents who were both musicians and music teachers, as their love
for music spilled over onto me. I studied flute, voice and piano
from an early age. This provided a very solid foundation for the
‘new’ music that God released into me after receiving
the ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was so exhilarating to
discover a world of unrehearsed and spontaneous worship choruses
composed by the Divine Composer-the Holy Spirit!
During this time many new songs
began abundantly flowing out of my spirit, like rivers of living
water. Often, the Holy Sprit would awaken me in the middle of the
night, so I would grab my guitar and work out the chords to these
‘fresh’ worship songs. The joy of salvation and walking
close to my Savior just seemed to spill out through my music. I
often found it hard to keep up with the torrent of new songs He
birthed in my spirit. And so, at the age of 19, my ministry as a
psalmist began!
After marrying and giving birth to
my two children, Seth and Sharon, I joined a worship team at our
church. It was the custom to anoint and ordain new team members,
so the other team members, as well as the pastors laid hands on
me and prayed. God spoke prophetically through them. I will never
forget these powerful words:
"You have always been concerned with
stage presence, but NOW you will learn how to play in MY
presence. You are like a rose, when you play the sweet fragrance
of the Lord is dispersed”
Since that day I have been in the school of
the Holy Spirit: He is ever teaching me and guiding into new
levels of playing/singing prophetically. And the Lord has
accomplished much physical, emotional and spiritual healing in my
life over the years. He delivered me from severe depression, even
suicide. Yet, like His word says, ‘all things work together
for the good, for those who love Christ’. Many new
songs of deliverance were birthed, even in the dark pits of
depression! My heart journey, from darkness to light can be
traced through these songs. God has also spoken prophetically
that healing would be released to His body as I play and sing in
His presence.
I praise God for everything He has done
in my life, and that He allowed me to find Him at an early age. I
can truly testify of the scripture ‘His mercies are new
every morning, GREAT is His faithfulness!’