by Grace Madrinan
This month of May marks my 8th year as a member of our parish choir, the Immaculate Conception Parish Choir in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Looking back, I can see God's hands working in every opportunity to lead me in joining this service.
As far as I can remember, I have always been swayed to church singing. As young as 8 years old, my teacher would ask me to sing the Responsorial Psalm during Mass. Back then, I was obliged to just follow and most of the time, would hesitate because of my timidity. I did not realize the privilege, let alone the opportunity to use my talent for His glory.
But over the years, the desire to sing for the choir grew on me, and I know God planted that at every step of the way. First, He led me back to singing when I joined the choir in our company. Next, He enriched my faith by leading me to join the Singles for Christ. There I was able to cultivate my passion to serve the Lord. At that time, I told myself that I would jump on an opportunity to join the community choir.
But it was not easy. Just as I was about to take that challenge, we have to move to Cavite since my work got transferred. And I had to adjust again to a new neighborhood, new community… I did not know anybody who works for the Church at that moment to inquire if there is any audition for a new choir member. Again, my apprehensions got the better of me and I did not dare to ask upfront. I thought, if only there would be some sort of announcement for an audition during the Mass or I could see a poster by chance, I will give it a try.
And God did just that. The next Sunday Mass, I heard the announcement that they are opening auditions for a choir member and everybody is invited to join. Right that instance, I had goose bumps all over. It felt as if it was calling for me! That night I went through auditions, and luckily got accepted.
But the real challenge just started. I thought that if you got accepted to the group, that's it. But the next few months (actually early years) was a baptism of fire. Aside from the commitment that I need to put through for practices and several Masses that I need to attend every Sunday, I also have to put up with different personalities from the group. The choir is already solid when I arrived. All of the members knew each other - either they are relatives or family friends. Most of the time, I'd stay quiet since I feel I cannot bring anything of interest to the conversations I had. I was able to stay close only with the new members but later on, even they fell short to the challenge and left the group.
But I stayed. I realized that despite the difficulties, the reason I joined in the first place is for the service of the Lord. So no amount of challenges or indifference from other members should keep me away from what my original goal is.
And when I persevered, God rewarded me. Not only am I able to accomplish my original goal, He also blessed me with so much beyond my full comprehension. First, I was able to get familiarized with the Church traditions. Before I was the usual Sunday Mass goer who is not keen on why a particular feast day is being celebrated or not. But since our choir needs to be in every special occasion important to the Catholic Faith, I get to attend almost all of the ceremonies. I get to appreciate the solemnity of the Eucharist for what it truly symbolizes.
Second thing that God blessed me through the choir is relationships. Not only was I able to get through the walls from being a newbie to a senior member, I learned to adapt well with all age brackets - from teenagers to senior citizens. Whether I go with the youngsters or the young at hearts, I feel like I belong to either of them. There's a lot to learn from both ends and I get to respect our differences. I look forward to seeing them every Sunday. And because of this, my service to the Lord is made more memorable with them.
Third and definitely not the least, I got blessings and deliverance more than I can ask for. Throughout the 8 years of service, I have undergone different crisis involving career shifts, financial problems, and sickness in the family. I believe my prayer support group from the choir and service to the Lord helped me overcome it all with faith and a firm heart. Looking back, I don’t know how I could have survived without them.
I read from Bo Sanchez before that even at the beginning, God planted dreams in our hearts. And it is only a matter of time until you come into that realization that your passion is God’s dream for you in the first place. He did not rush me, He took His sweet time to mold me into who I am today. And when you choose His will, He will bless you abundantly, like He did for me.
"What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him," 1 Corinthians 2: 9
