God is Love
So these past couple of weeks have been tender mercies, to say the least.
About two weeks ago, I went to All-State choir. I have been before, my sophomore year, but for some reason the same insecurities I was having then I was having again this year. Anxiety filled my heart as I thought of what might happen this week. I didn't know my music, I didn't know who'd I'd be rooming with, and I couldn't remember why I had such a fun time my sophomore year.
So I asked my father for a priesthood blessing.
In the blessing, I was told that I would come back from this experience having a greater appreciation for my family. Great, I thought. That means I'm going to have such a terrible experience that I'll be so ready to come home. Needless to say, this didn't help my anxiety.
Now, before I go with this story I need to interrupt myself and tell you about my dad.
I love my dad. And I know he loves me. But sometimes I think we have a hard time understanding each other. My dad has been really good about using my love language to tell me that he loves me, which helps. But often I don't really feel as though he appreciates me, because we are so different. He's a reserved cowboy. I am a loud teenage girl. I like music, theater, and spending ridiculous amounts of money on things that will create memories. He doesn't see the practicality of it, and often it can create an invisible tension. But I know he loves me. And I know he tries really hard to make me happy.
Okay, tangent over.
So we arrive at our hotel, and my friend Chelsea and I find out we're rooming with two strangers. Lovely. This is the very thing I didn't want to happen. Luckily, Chelsea and I could endure together.
We had part checks that night, and I was frightened out of my wits.
But all of these things that I was worried about proved to not be that big of a deal.
(As are most things in my life. I'm very dramatic.)
Rehearsals were long but painless, and I actually enjoyed sitting in rehearsals for 8 hours every day. Dr. Ehly was so much fun to work with and he was just about the cutest old man I had ever met. He taught me many things, not only about music, but about life. He's someone I look up to in many ways.
The night before the concert, Dr. Ehly taught me something that I will never forget. We had worked all week to create a beautiful sound. Something that I know we would never do for our choir directors at home.
At the end of the rehearsal Dr. Ehly told us about an experience he had while writing his book.
Dr. Ehly asked his son, "Do you love me?"
His son responded, "Well, yeah, Dad. I do."
Ehly asked another question, "Do you love Grandpa Ehly?" (Dr. Ehly's dad.)
"Yes. I suppose I do."
"Who do you love more? Me or Grandpa?"
"You, because Grandpa's just a memory."
"One more question, how much do you love Hank?" (Dr. Ehly's grandson, his son's son.)
With tears in his eyes, he responded, "More than words can describe."
Dr. Ehly responded, "That's how much I love you. And now you know. You won't know how much I love Hank until you have a grandson of your own. But you know how much I love you."
He then went on to say, "Love is directional. It comes from the top down."
This story taught me:
1) My dad loves me so much, even though it's hard to communicate. I won't fully understand how much until I have a child of my own. I'm very much looking forward to that day.
2) If my dad loves me that much, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me more than that! He loves me so darn much, and wants to help me!
3) Because He loves me, He has blessed me with this talent of music. It is my duty to share that talent with others and use it to spread love.
4) Whatever you do, or whatever you become, DO IT WITH LOVE.
My dad was right, after all! I did come home with a greater appreciation for my family.
It's not our responsibility to be the best, or the most successful. But if we live our lives with love, the world will respond to it.
About two weeks ago, I went to All-State choir. I have been before, my sophomore year, but for some reason the same insecurities I was having then I was having again this year. Anxiety filled my heart as I thought of what might happen this week. I didn't know my music, I didn't know who'd I'd be rooming with, and I couldn't remember why I had such a fun time my sophomore year.
So I asked my father for a priesthood blessing.
In the blessing, I was told that I would come back from this experience having a greater appreciation for my family. Great, I thought. That means I'm going to have such a terrible experience that I'll be so ready to come home. Needless to say, this didn't help my anxiety.
Now, before I go with this story I need to interrupt myself and tell you about my dad.
I love my dad. And I know he loves me. But sometimes I think we have a hard time understanding each other. My dad has been really good about using my love language to tell me that he loves me, which helps. But often I don't really feel as though he appreciates me, because we are so different. He's a reserved cowboy. I am a loud teenage girl. I like music, theater, and spending ridiculous amounts of money on things that will create memories. He doesn't see the practicality of it, and often it can create an invisible tension. But I know he loves me. And I know he tries really hard to make me happy.
Okay, tangent over.
So we arrive at our hotel, and my friend Chelsea and I find out we're rooming with two strangers. Lovely. This is the very thing I didn't want to happen. Luckily, Chelsea and I could endure together.
We had part checks that night, and I was frightened out of my wits.
But all of these things that I was worried about proved to not be that big of a deal.
(As are most things in my life. I'm very dramatic.)
Rehearsals were long but painless, and I actually enjoyed sitting in rehearsals for 8 hours every day. Dr. Ehly was so much fun to work with and he was just about the cutest old man I had ever met. He taught me many things, not only about music, but about life. He's someone I look up to in many ways.
The night before the concert, Dr. Ehly taught me something that I will never forget. We had worked all week to create a beautiful sound. Something that I know we would never do for our choir directors at home.
At the end of the rehearsal Dr. Ehly told us about an experience he had while writing his book.
Dr. Ehly asked his son, "Do you love me?"
His son responded, "Well, yeah, Dad. I do."
Ehly asked another question, "Do you love Grandpa Ehly?" (Dr. Ehly's dad.)
"Yes. I suppose I do."
"Who do you love more? Me or Grandpa?"
"You, because Grandpa's just a memory."
"One more question, how much do you love Hank?" (Dr. Ehly's grandson, his son's son.)
With tears in his eyes, he responded, "More than words can describe."
Dr. Ehly responded, "That's how much I love you. And now you know. You won't know how much I love Hank until you have a grandson of your own. But you know how much I love you."
He then went on to say, "Love is directional. It comes from the top down."
This story taught me:
1) My dad loves me so much, even though it's hard to communicate. I won't fully understand how much until I have a child of my own. I'm very much looking forward to that day.
2) If my dad loves me that much, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me more than that! He loves me so darn much, and wants to help me!
3) Because He loves me, He has blessed me with this talent of music. It is my duty to share that talent with others and use it to spread love.
4) Whatever you do, or whatever you become, DO IT WITH LOVE.
My dad was right, after all! I did come home with a greater appreciation for my family.
It's not our responsibility to be the best, or the most successful. But if we live our lives with love, the world will respond to it.
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