This child had a very hard time sitting still in church. She did everything imaginable, and unimaginable, to keep from wiggling right off that pew. She did everything from attempting to peel the nail polish off her mother's nails, to making cradles out of handkerchiefs. Her antics frequently warranted a stern look from the pulpit, or a pinch from her mother's fingers. On more than a few occasions, she was escorted out during the service to get a good talkin' to, or a swift strike to the seat of contrition. Poor little thing!
Though she absorbed bits and pieces of the sermon, this child remembered every word of every song she heard in church. Her voice joined others, as she sang each note with sweet abandon, though not always so perfectly. People didn't particularly enjoy her singing voice, especially as she got a little older. This didn't bother her, she still sang her heart out at every chance. She sang while her sister played the piano. She sang in the fields to the trees and flowers. The mules and ponies in the pasture were victims of many concerts. She even sang to the hay in the barn.
Her mother knew she loved to sing, but would encourage her to perform funny songs in funny ways, so as to mask her voice, and draw laughs from the audience. The daughter developed performing skills, but her voice still lacked the pretty tone she so desired.
In the little country church she attended, there was a gentleman who sang a song that drew her in. Many songs are beautiful, but only a few are anointed. This song was anointed!he chorus went something like this:
"I'm a child of the King, a child of the King.
His royal blood now flows through my veins.
My sins which were many were all washed away.
Praise God, praise God!
I'm a child of the King."
It was the lyrics of this song that made their way into the young girl's heart. It was these words that brought to life in her that SHE was a child of King Jesus! She pondered that realization in her heart over the next few years.
At age eighteen, the desire had only grown stronger to be able to sing beautifully. She began to pray, "Lord, if you will give me the voice to sing, I promise that I will use it to sing for you. I will never say no to anyone who asks me to sing."
The opportunity presented itself for her to sing solo. With butterflies in her stomach, and shaking like a leaf in the wind, she prayed, "Lord I gave my voice to you, now please let Holy Spirit sing through me. May you be glorified." She approached the microphone, cleared her voice, and just as she did as a child, sang her heart out. The people in the congregation were stunned, but none more than her parents. Somehow, this gawky daughter of theirs had changed into a young lady with a God-given ability to sing his praises.
If we could only realize that God knows the desires of our heart. When a desire aligns with God's Word, and it is one we have had since childhood, he will honor that desire. In fact, I believe he puts those desires in our hearts. We must first have that one-on-one relationship with His son, Jesus. We must realize that we are a child of the King, joint-heirs with Jesus. A child of the King isn't junk, because God doesn't create junk. Then we must pray and study his Word, all the while listening to His voice. Then, we have to knock on doors and see what opens for us.
That rowdy little girl became a woman who loves the Lord. She sang for most of her adult life, until voice damage occurred. I have been praying that God would heal her voice and allow her to sing for Him again. Will you join me in that prayer? I know it would mean so much to her to know you are praying.
I don't think she would mind if you knew her name. Her name is me, Pam Archer!
