Where the Band is Warming Up

Have I mentioned how much I cherish Saturday mornings?   To be honest, cherish is probably an understatement.  There are a couple of reasons that I love Saturday mornings.

1. I have a day off of work.
2. I can spend some time digging, in learning more about what God has to say.
3. I get to be with my husband and kids.
   

On Saturday, I love to sleep WITHOUT the assistance of the cursed alarm clock, then get up, tip toe to the kitchen, put on some coffee, and dig out my Bible without waking everyone else.

But let's be realistic -

It doesn't always work out that way.

Example #1 - this past Saturday. 

Both of our girls play the violin and this past Saturday was their annual Solo and Ensemble competition.  As the pattern of my life goes, one of them was to arrive at 830, yes A.M, on my beloved Saturday morning, and the other was to arrive at 11:45 AM.  Since we don't quite live "next door" to the school, I resigned myself to the fact that I would be there all morning, with a few hours to kill between performances.

Rather than be down in the dumps because I wouldn't be able to sit quietly at my dining table studying, I decided on the next best thing.   I would take it with me.

Back pack in tow, I begin the quest for a quiet spot at the school. ready to listen for what God has to teach me.

I get all comfy and situated in a cushioned chair, alone in the quiet auditorium.  No signs of teachers or students.  I pull out my book start looking for the verses, and out of no where a young man is standing over me with a scowl. 
 

"Ummm....You can't sit in here," he says as he slouches his hands into the pockets of his khakis, his body language tells me he's bracing himself for a confrontation.  I guess he's used to dealing with middle schoolers and their special way of debating every sentence that comes out of your mouth.

"Okay," I answer as I start to gather up my belongings.

"You can't stay in here.  There are auditions in here.....You can't stay in here," he continued,  oblivious that I was being compliant with his first statement and not putting up a fight. 

"Ok, that's fine. I'll find somewhere else, it's no problem," I reassured him.

"You'll have to go out to the lobby where the band is warming up."

Instantly, I felt my shoulders sagging.  Disappointed, I trek through the doors with my backpack to the gym lobby.....

Where the BAND is warming up.

Yes, where the BAND is warming up.

To quietly study my Bible.

Seems like a contradiction....huh?

When I first enter, there's no one warming up. Just a few awkward teenagers trailing in and out trying to figure out where they were supposed to be.   I pull out my book, look up my verses, and start to read.

In just a few short moments, this is the atmosphere:                  I recorded it just for you ;-)

Did I mention the clarinet sitting about three feet from me?  It brought back nightmares from my middle school years, but that's a story for another day.  Every instrument is playing a different song.  Students are yelling, doors are slamming, and I'm obviously out of place -

In the lobby...

where the BAND is warming up...

with my Bible study.....

Just trying to hear Him above the noise.

It wasn't easy.  I had to be intentional, I had to strain to hear Him but He did speak, and He will speak to you in the midst of your noise today.   His voice may be still and small, but He doesn't only speak in quiet places. 

He also speaks in the middle of noise and chaos, if I would but hear.

If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
Revelation 13:9

The BAND is warming up all around us, friend, and life is really loud.  Every instrument is playing a different tune and it is hard sometimes, but can I just encourage you?

His voice is still there.    He has given you an ear, He will let you hear.