My niece took this photo five years ago today. George Vinson and I had been asked to perform “Magnificat” by Keith and Kristen Getty in our church Christmas program. That was the last time I sang in a Christmas production.

Every year, when this photo shows up in my Facebook memories, I feel a twinge of sadness. It was one of the last beautiful moments I experienced before I quit church the following August and singing became something I used to do.

Over the past five years, I’ve made a lot of progress in developing my songwriting skills, but the aching desire to sing is stronger than ever. I’ve absolutely considered getting involved in a church just so I’d have the opportunity to sing, but that would be a betrayal to my passion. My heart is set on writing songs that matter to me and singing them.

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A few weeks ago, I started working full time at the business my husband and I own. I’ve been hands-off during the past eleven years, taking care of our kids and home while trying to establish myself as a creative. Recent events made it necessary that I step into the role of office manager, forfeiting my time to write and sing. I’ve barely touched my piano over the last three weeks. My creative muscles are quickly weakening as I bury my head in numbers all day, every day.