Encouragement

A Gift from Daddy God

by Cheryl Rogers
08/13/06
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"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17

By CHERYL ROGERS

When I was growing up, I wanted to be a singer. But I let a stranger, who had never even heard my voice, discourage me.

I was 11 and a man who was showing my family an apartment in suburban Chicago asked my sister and I what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said a singer and she said a teacher.

When it came time to pick a career, singing had long been off my list in favor of journalism. Strongly influenced as a young reader by Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew mysteries stories, I had decided to be a writer -- with a practical twist.

So I pursued a career in journalism, working as a reporter for a few newspapers before I settled down at home to raise a family.

But then something unexpected happened.

I became sick, really sick -- too sick to work or think of having a second child. In the midst of it all I found God and he healed me and gave me the second child I never thought I could have. He began teaching me about himself, that he is my spiritual father and that he is love.

In the midst of all this, he gave me a chance to sing in church. I never had as a child, but as an adult I enjoyed singing in a couple of church choirs. I was a little surprised they would have me, but have me they did and I enjoyed it.

Then, I couldn't believe it myself but God began giving me melodies while I was reading Scripture. The first song came on Dec. 18, 2001, in the aftermath of the tragic World Trade Center attacks. The date had personal significance, it was the second anniversary of my earthly father's death -- and he had always encouraged my sister and I to write songs.

I never had been able to write anything but the lyrics and I never thought I would or could write melodies. So I was a bit surprised when the notes came drifting into my mind. I wouldn't ignore it though, so I wrote out the songs the best I could.

The songs came slowly at first. I didn't know what to do with them so they literally sat on a shelf about two years.

The only one to sing them was me.

I had been out of the church choirs for awhile and wasn't even doing much singing myself when I decided to do Karoake on our family's cruise ship vacation in 2003. I had never done it before and decided it would be fun.

My husband took a video of the performance, and it was a bit humiliating. I didn't have the music beforehand to practice, and it showed. But I noticed something which surprised me. I was comfortable on stage -- despite the mistakes.

So when my church announced it was having a talent show, I decided it was time to take out my cruise ship gown and take another go at it. This time I felt God was calling me to sing one of my own songs, "I Will Give Thanks to You," and declare my healing in faith from a goiter. This time I didn't have the music, either, because I didn't know how to arrange music. But God provided by way of the church's music minister, Kent Smith, a composer himself. I discovered he ran a recording studio at the church two blocks from my house.

Well, the rest is history.

I took him a bunch of my songs and we put together a CD. I call it Victory! because God "giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

Things have changed in the music industry these days. It is so much easier than it used to be to put together a CD. You can sidestep all the giants and just ... do it yourself! At least, with a little help from a friendly recording studio.

So, guest what?

Now I'm a real singer, even if I had to write and record the songs myself.

What a wonderful gift from daddy.

This article is excerpted from Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook by Cheryl Rogers. Visit Cheryl's website at http://www.SongsfromtheWord.com for the book and other resources to encourage you in your Christian walk