I’ve always loved to sing. To me, singing is as natural as breathing. It’s inspiring. In fact, one definition of the word inspire is “to draw in air,” so that makes sense! 

It feels natural for me to trust God to inspire and guide me as a singer. He protects me and helps me accept the right gigs, choose the right songs, and perform songs the right way. I like to choose songs that have a beautiful melody and then focus on the words of the song so I can sing with real meaning and compassion. I have to understand what the song is about and sing it over and over until I know it well enough so that the words just flow out. Sometimes when I’m performing, thoughts will come to me like: “Oh no! What if I hit this note totally wrong?” or “What if nobody likes my voice?” or “What if I forget the words?” Then I stop myself and know that those thoughts are just “error,” suggestions that there can be something trying to block me from expressing God, and I don’t need to listen. The words from Mary Baker Eddy’s poem “‘Feed My Sheep,’” help me: 

I will listen for Thy voice,
Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
All the rugged way.
( Poems, p. 14)

I’ve always liked to sing so much because it allows me to express myself and feel good inside. If there is one song that I really like, I will practice it for a long time. There always seems to be music playing in my head, and I sometimes sing without realizing it. Over the years, and especially in school, this has sometimes been a distraction to others. I’m learning to focus on self-control and performing at the right time. If it’s a right idea for me to sing, it shouldn’t bring inharmony to others. Hymn 221 from the Christian Science Hymnal says, 

Thy kingdom, God, within us
Shows forth Love’s sweet control.
God’s idea, man, rejoices;
He knows the reign of Soul.
(Margaret Glenn Matters)

When I was six years old, I tried out for the school talent show and was chosen to close the show with a solo I loved to sing from a favorite movie. I remember standing on the stage behind the huge curtain and hearing all the students and parents on the other side while I was being introduced. Some people thought I might be afraid to get up in front of that many people and sing all by myself, but my love for the song and for singing in general replaced any fear. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear (see I John 4:18). I think that when you love something so much, it fills you with joy and inspiration, and there’s no room for negative thoughts. A year later, I sang solos in a few concerts for an even bigger audience, and, again, I had to deal with the thought that I might be afraid or forget something. But love of the music and expressing God helped me continue to sing freely. 

At nine, I auditioned and was selected to be a substitute soloist for several Christian Science churches. This continues to be a wonderful opportunity for me to see the healing power of music. Before I walk out on the platform, I always remind myself that my job is to bless and share the healing message in the solo. The solos are written for mature voices, and I sometimes have trouble getting enough breath for the phrases. When this happens, I go back to the idea of inspiration and breathing being natural to God’s children. To inspire also means “to affect or guide.” Science and Health says that “Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way” (p. 454). So, God brings inspiration and gives me the breath I need to sing. When I sing songs about God, I know that there are people listening who need healing and inspiration. As I sing them, the thoughts in the solos help me too!

The nature of music, in its purest way, is to bring harmony to all aspects of our lives. Singing helps me in so many ways. When I recently auditioned for a role in a movie, I was having trouble remembering the script and memorized my lines in rehearsal by singing them. At a Broadway audition in New York for the musical Mary Poppins, I spent so much time singing that it made me feel peaceful in a very competitive atmosphere—I saw joy and expectation of good all around me. And when I study for a challenging history test, I sing the key points. At summer camp, I was rappelling down a cliff, and when I couldn’t find a foothold, I started singing my own version of Hymn 139: “I [rappel] with Love along the way / And O, it is a holy day” (Minny Ayers). I felt like God would never put me in a situation that I couldn’t handle. I overcame the fear of heights and not knowing where to put my foot. The whole way down was completely smooth, and when I got down, some of my friends were really proud of me and told me how brave I was to do that because they knew I was really scared. I told them it was God helping me down the cliff.

Bringing people together through music means a lot to me. I love to perform for groups of all ages. Recently, I was performing a concert of songs (from my CD of psalms and prayers, “Up to Thee”) for guests staying at a Christian Science nursing facility. Doing this was a very special experience for me, and it made me feel like I was connecting with the audience. I smile while I’m singing and love to see people smile and enjoy the music with me. I feel like God is right there with me, letting me express His goodness, and it’s a very joyful and peaceful experience. 

Bringing people together through music means a lot to me.

My mom is my accompanist on piano, so we often perform together. We worked very closely together to record our CD, and we like to write songs together. It’s fun to see how God guides each of us to find the right notes or words. When a tune comes to me, I sing it until I realize it’s coming to me for a reason, and then I sing it to my mom, who figures it out on the piano. Sometimes, I’m trying to hear the next phrase, and it is tempting to get impatient when it doesn’t come right away. So I have to remember to relax and know that it will come to me when it’s the right time. The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Then when the answer does come, I’m so happy that God’s always here to help! There is a lot to be grateful for, and I appreciate the opportunities to share my voice with others in a way that makes them happy.