It seemed to be an ordinary voice lesson. My student, a lovely 77 year old African American lady, had vocalized and we had worked together on "Because of Thy Great Bounty".
She has a way with words and sometimes at the beginning of the lesson inspires me to greater teaching heights by announcing, "I am NOT going to pay out good money for voice lessons if I don't LEARN something!"
So we worked fervantly on pitch, rhythm, tone, breathing, etc. and were just about to finish the 30 minute lesson (which inevitably stretches into an hour.....I want to make sure she gets her money's worth!!!) when I suggested, "Why don't we finish up the lesson with 'My Tribute'." I knew it was one of her favorites. Her rich contralto voice began,
"How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me,
Things, so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me,
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude,
All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.
To God be the Glory, to God be the Glory, to God be the Glory,
For the things He has done."
Her voice filled with deep emotion as she continued,
"With His blood He has saved me"
She looked up and raised her hand to heaven
"With His power He has raised me"
I FELT HIS PRESENCE fill the room as she continued.
"To God be the glory for the things He has done."
As she continued, I sensed God spirit settling down on the two of us,
"Lord, let me live my life, let it be pleasing Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary,
With His blood He has saved me,
With His power He has raised me
To GOD be the glory for the THINGS HE HAS DONE!"
It was one of those holy moments when suddenly the ordinary becomes extraordinary, when the mundane becomes memorable. We both worshipped, praised, and thanked our LIVING GOD for meeting with us in the voice lesson.
As this dear lady was leaving I gave her her weekly grade (she HAS to have a grade each week to show her family how she's doing!!). At the top of the page I wrote the following: A+ "HE was here".
