What Hour of the Day Will the Call Come?

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

It never fails.

It seems that regardless of the time I get to bed at night, my mind has a hard time winding down.  I start thinking of everything I still need to do and rarely do I  take a minute to reflect on what I’ve actually accomplished.  And even though it seems like there’s very little down time, the to-do list just gets longer and longer.

I rely on my smartphone’s calendar to help me remember it all. I find myself picking it up and putting it back down on the nightstand at least 3-4 times every night, recalling just one more thing I have to get done that week.  I wish I could remember it all throughout the day, but with as busy as we are, I’m just thankful I remember it at all!  I truly feel God’s presence in those moments and am grateful that He helps me manage our sometimes crazy life.

With that in mind, let me share something else the Holy Spirit has begun doing for me at nighttime.

As exhausted as my body is when my head finally hits the pillow, it’s at that moment that God usually chooses to help me make the most of the gifts He’s given me.  I’ve always had far-fetched dreams of becoming a country music superstar.  I know, I know, stay with me!  I always sang, but up until the last few years, I never played an instrument and didn’t know how to write a song.  Last year, I started playing in a band with my incredibly talented brother and his equally talented wife, and a few friends.  We play shows in the Seattle area, and it’s blessed my life in such a profoundly perfect way.  It has improved upon the already strong relationships I have within my family and has allowed me to express myself in ways that I truly feel are pleasing to God.

It’s at the moment right before I’m getting ready to drift off to dream, that a melody will come to mind.  Maybe a song lyric.  It sounds like something I’d listen to, buy, play on the guitar…sing.  I have to write it down!

The problem is, I’m tired.  Beyond tired, in fact.  But I know in my heart that it’s such a tremendous gift from God that I can’t waste it.  There’s no way I’ll remember it in the morning (and I know because I’ve tried that!).  So, I grab my phone, open the notepad feature, and type it out.  Or if it’s a melody, I’ll record it in voice notes.

Ahhhhh…..that’s better.  Now I can go to sleep!  Thank you, Jesus!!

I’m the one in my family who could sing, but didn’t play an instrument or write songs.  Several people in my family did all three.  Since I began playing with Terry and Sarah, though, God has just blessed me over and over again with songs I never knew I had in me to write.  And He gives them to me when I’m at my weakest.  Hmmm…

We never know how God will use us to carry out His will for our lives.  We never know the hour of the day that we’ll be called upon by Him.  One thing we do know is that we must answer the call when it comes.  I loved it when I heard my pastor say, “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips those He calls.”  It was so comforting to me, because even in our gifts, the world can have a way of making us feel inadequate.  We must always keep our eyes on Him, even when they’re about to close for the day.  You just never know what joy you could miss out on by shutting them too soon.

Feel free to check out our band, Boxcar Babies, here on Youtube.