Opportunity

"Thou sayest, 'Fit me, fashion me for Thee.'
Stretch forth thine empty hands, and be thou still:
O restless soul, thou dost but hinder Me
By valiant purpose and by steadfast will.
Behold the summer flowers beneath the sun.
In stillness his great glory they behold;
And sweetly thus his mighty word is done.
And resting in his gladness they unfold.
So are the sweetness and the joy Divine
Thine, O beloved, and the work is Mine."
--Ter Steegen

What I "accomplished" this last semester speaks not of its true success. Yes, I did spend about 200 hours at the piano, researched/analyzed and wrote two substantial papers, instructed 14 students in Class Piano, put together sight reading, harmonization, and 4-part hymn examples in Finale for future teaching use, and became very familiar with the office copier in my secretarial responsibilities. But apart from my recognition of God's glory, these are eternally insignificant.
Opportunity. This word best summarizes this past semester. Musically, academically, relationally, spiritually--every area evidenced God's gracious work. I've been able to share a few specifics, and wish I could recount them all for the purpose of giving Him sufficient glory. While I can't quite do that, I do want to praise Him for the multiple opportunities to testify of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, both to saved and to unsaved, and to find more spiritual fellowship at church and at school than I did last semester. As a result, three girls often occupy my mind and prayers, and several others have become more than just faces that I tended to pass by unaware.
Meeting with other musicians each Sunday night to discuss biblical topics not only challenged my knowledge of Scripture but also provided an outlet to relate music to ministry, something I have largely missed since Northland.
After a very busy week of performances, paper revisions, recitals (attending!), and packing, I played my piano juries starting at 11:54am (EST) (just a few minutes behind my scheduled 11:40 slot), left the building, stopped by Starbucks and headed home! Every semester responsibility is completed and I look forward to the summer. It won't be boring. I've picked most of my graduate recital repertoire and will begin practicing as soon as the music comes. Babysitting requests have already come. A list of house projects begs to be crossed off, and three trips will break up each month I'm home. Time with my family will be wonderful. I trust my summer will continue to witness God's gracious work as I seek to be His will, rather than getting caught up in the doing.