It's seriously been eons since I've blogged about something. To be fair, I've had finals and family vacations and church camps and more, but I'm still here! I have so much content that I can't wait to share on this blog. We'll start with the fact that I had the privilege to lead worship at a church camp a couple weeks ago!
Like I've said about a million times before, I interned this summer with Mariners Irvine's JHM program. A couple of weekends ago, we took these crazy students off to Winter Camp at Thousand Pines and it was just wonderful.
When I left school early that Friday, I was ready to lead worship. I had my new in-ears with me, I had my bag packed, heck, I even had made the time to grab a coffee on my way to Mariners. Once I got there of course, my plans had begun to deteriorate. I was not told until after I had begun packing the band van that I was supposed to lead a cabin of seventh grade girls. SEVENTH GRADE GIRLS. My anxiety began to skyrocket. Looking back at it now, I have no idea why I was so nervous. Although my girls, or should I say, "cheegulls," were quite a rowdy and rambunctious group, God worked and I managed to stay alive.
I would like to take a moment to thank my co-leader for being the greatest human alive. From heading into town to grab snacks for our girls to caring enough to know what to say and when to say it, she had my back the entire time. She was such an encouragement and leading alongside of her was an honor.I seriously could not have done it without her.
As for our girls, they made camp so special! I've never had the opportunity to lead a cabin before, so this was a first for me. These girls though, were an absolute blessing. They were silly and fun, caring and kind, and such strong ladies. Hanging out with them was just as exciting for them as it was for me. We had so much fun eating king sized airheads candies, drinking tea at one in the morning, doing silly baby voices, and singing the same worship songs over and over. I wouldn't have traded leading those cheegulls for the world.
As for the worship experience, it was so nice to be with my band again! I've missed my BNDATORY pals so much. We all were there (EVEN ANDY who joins us when he can!) except my best friend Alex.
I'm going to pause for a minute and give you readers a little background information:
Alex is super talented. Him and Brittany (our lead female vocalist) usually lead most of the songs and I'll lead a few, sing harmonies, and play the keyboard. I love doing that because that's my comfort zone. I sing a couple songs and folks know I'm there, but I'm never center stage jamming out and dancing. It's nice being on the sides. It's nice being lukewarm. It's comfortable.
The other weekend, though, was the complete opposite of my comfort zone. I felt like I was on my own. Alex wasn't there for me to hide behind. I wasn't scheduled to play keys, so I couldn't hide behind a keyboard. I was front and center for every set. There was nothing for me to hide behind. I was by myself and there was nothing else to thing about except me and the Lord. It was insane. God broke so many boundaries. I'd often walk onstage and forget the set order. Or I'd start worshiping and forget that I was even on a stage. Or I'd just fall to my knees and praise him. I'd never done any of that before. This was the first time where I just let go of everything and completely lost myself in worship. Everything I felt was so raw and everything I praised him for was so genuine and all of the glory was for him. The music we made was for God. Not for us, not for the students, not for the staff, but for God.
I had an abundance of leaders and students come up to me after the sets we did complimenting my voice, or asking me how old I was, and saying how amazing it was to see someone like me serving God up onstage. It got to the point where after I'd lead a song a group of students would just scream my name. It was in those moments where God really took control more than ever. He got all the glory. I gave him all of the credit. Who am I kidding, he GETS all the glory. He GETS all of the credit. He GETS all of the honor and praise. Because He IS. He is the one who gave me a voice. He is the one who continues to make sure that my voice doesn't run out. He is the one who blesses me with energy. He is the one who has placed a fire and a passion in my heart for Him and for middle school students. If it wen't for the Lord, my God, I would not be here. I would not be singing. I would not be breathing. I would not be writing a blog. My Father in Heaven has honestly blessed me with so much, I can not help but to rejoice and be glad in him. Knowing that what God's doing in me is visible to others, and that I am a light in the darkness is just about the BEST THING EVER!
I choose to walk in the light.
I choose to walk in the light of God and not hide in fear.
To build my life
Upon his reckless love.
Because THE GOD I FOLLOW is the King of my heart.
Because THE GOD I SERVE makes the darkness tremble.
Because MY FATHER IN HEAVEN will leave the ninety-nine sheep to find me.
The one.
I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
He will fight for me and search for me.
I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
He loves and protects me.
I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
He knit me together in my mother's womb.
I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
He knows of every label under the sun,
He could have called me any other name,
But instead
HE HAS NAMED ME A CHILD OF GOD.
With that all said, I'll see y'all next time.
Much Love,
Delaney Miller