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God has such a sense of humor!

The first children’s church choir I taught was offered to me because nobody else wanted the job. “Okay, I will be glad to help out,” I said with my usual enthusiasm. “That is, I will do this until you find someone who can actually teach kids to read music, sing in several part harmony and, well, all the other things that go along with being an authentic music teacher.”

You see, my background was speech, drama and theatre. So, I was willing to help with the children’s choir until someone else came along. But, nary a person stepped forward. The first year I, literally, quit 15 times. Finally I told my husband the only way I could really get out of the situation was to change my name and leave the country. The year was 1970.

I’m still here.

So what changed? I shut up long enough to hear God’s plan for my life. Next, I fell in love with teaching kids as I watched them blossom on stage. My heart exploded with joy as I saw children’s lives change just from hearing the sound of applause. And it was all because of the talents God gave them. It was then I realized I had a platform to teach kids about Jesus.

A few years later I convinced the church to refer to this program as musical theatre instead of choir. And that is how my life continues to this day. God gifts believers with the exact tools they need to serve Him. There is nothing better in this life than following His orders.

Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Kathleen

I asked my friend about her childhood experiences on stage, and SO loved her response that I want to pass it on for everyone to read!

“When I was six years old, I acted in my first stage production. The night of the performance my mother dressed me in a pink and purple vest with matching balloon pants she had made just for the show. Then she draped the Miss Pakistan ribbon across my chest. The play was a tribute to the children of the world, and we sang ‘let there be peace on earth’. I said three lines. That night, I felt like the most special little girl out of ALL the children of the world. And most of all, I was awed by the excitement of being on stage. I don’t remember much else about being six years old, but I’ll never forget that play.”

Dr. Andrea Roberson

I remember his first time on stage with us. He was about 10 years old, white blonde hair and a shy smile. It was a Christmas play and he had four lines and a very short solo as the lead shepherd. Jake had the dramatic role of encouraging his fellow sheep herders off to Bethlehem to see the Christ child after the angels appeared to them on the hillside. He was flawless on opening night. The audience thought Jake’s enormous smile was part of his character’s role as he rounded the manger and knelt by the ‘baby-cry’ doll in the straw. He looked like He was really seeing Jesus for the first time ever!

Jake went on to be in several plays through jr. high and high school, but it wasn’t until college that he stopped me one day to thank me for the opportunity for being on stage all those years. He thanked me especially for the opportunity he had been given when he was in fourth grade- his ‘shepherd’ role. Sadly, it was the only time he had received a compliment from his dad on any of his accomplishments- before or since. He was so grateful for that one moment in his life.”

This continues to be my motivation as I put kids on stage. To give each one the opportunity for a moment in the spotlight- where they experience well deserved and much needed applause- because of their God given talent.