Week of Joy

This week's Week of Joy (making a comeback after many months of missing) is quite simple:

10. The
9. House
8. of
7. Blues
6. San
5. Diego
4. 10AM
3. Gospel
2. Brunch
1. Today.

We skipped church this morning to go to the Gospel Brunch with family from out of town in place of a memorial service for my Grandmother who passed away 2 weeks ago. Grandma wasn't one for funerals or anything like that but it always feels more fitting to have some sort of "service" or "remembrance."

It was so amazing! They were having some CHURCH up in that place! I clapped and laughed and wished I knew the words to every song so I could sing along.

Our family was sitting at two tables and my mom, Tim, my aunt, cousin and my aunt's sister were at a table with the family of the band/singers. When they found out why we were there and that I was a singer (who could have told them that-MOM!?) they said I could go up and participate in the sing-along and sing in honor of my grandmother. Demonstrating excellent judgement, mom thanked them but said that I would kill her if she voluntereed me for that. She was absolutely right.

The Gospel Brunch fed me in a way I didn't know I was hungry. Not only in a musical sense-demonstrating quality musicianship and vocal skillz (that's right) but also I was fed spiritually. The ladies on that stage were not just singers who happen to sing gospel music. They were singing about Their God. About Their Jesus. They were sharing with that entire room about the God Who Saves. I was able to sit there and soak up the music about my Savior. I didn't have to sing or lead. I didnt have to make sure monitors were working or fetch water for someone who was about to preach. I was ministered TO instead of ministering. And while I missed my beloved (although very white in their worship music) church and everything God has given me to do there each week, it is good to take a week off on occasion and allow others to lead for a change.

And when they lead with a strong base, heavy down beat, tight harmonies and ad libs about how "Ain't Nobody Gonna Do Me Like Jesus," then there is all kinds of right going on there.