Jewells of Thought

Dinner this past Saturday, was a fish fry. The culmination of the first bout of celebrating 20 years for this Church station to be on radio. Since last Wednesday the Spring version of the Share-A-Thon was taking place.

This event takes place twice every year, Spring and Fall, to help the Church to now fund three sites for this Radio station. It’s a big deal and there were some very special occurrences for the development of this station and with the 20 year Anniversary. Each year there are notable musicians who walk the halls of the radio station and the church premises. These men and women have amazing musical talent. Some, one in particular in my mind could have made it in the musical scene of Nashville or Hollywood. They chose correctly for their lives though, God gave them the sense to know they would not lose out in the end.

There is a term that some people like to use for those who don’t necessarily have a home church. It’s called ‘church hoppers’ I do not like the term. My Dad’s side of the family has a history of longevity, Grandma will be the last Bishop, Harbin, Lester to still be going to her childhood church. There is literally a 200 year lineage of our three family branches to this Southern Indiana Church.

On my Mom’s side we also have longevity, but not quite centuries long. One could use the term I dislike. Experience has also shown me that there are different seasons in a person’s life or perhaps for a family.

Music for my family is something that unites. A good fish fry also helps. Before my decision was made I volunteered to work Shar-A-Thon a few times. I love working in office settings you get to meet intriguing people and see the amazing nuts and bolts of the operation. While I worked in the office I got to hear some wonderful stories about the musicians and preachers that are usually one in the same. How God works to allow people to play and sing with injuries or sicknesses that should have stopped such things from happening, but don’t. God’s grace is something to behold.

So even though I knew this past weekend was coming I didn’t think I would actually personally be at the fish fry, however, the timing worked out. It was hard to say no to the 20th Anniversary of the station and see the other slice of my extended Church family. I have had some memorable musical experiences in this church whether performing or watching them being performed. I may attend a different church now, but Saturday was a good day seeing friends that also attend different churches, but were there to support the station. Isn’t that the very definition of a church community?

The Lord has been good to me in giving me churches I needed at different times in my life. Music has always been a way for me to serve, but not my only way. Bethel Baptist Church and WYTJ, Will You Trust Jesus is their main station and they have been fortunately blessed with two more sites increasing the sphere of the listening community and the message of Christ.