There was a consistent theme of music throughout my childhood and when I was 8 years old and studying ballet, I acquired an attraction to and a selective appreciation for classical and jazz music. Though I was raised in a Christian home and exposed to “church” all of my childhood (including singing in the children’s choir and being a devoted attendee of Sunday school), it wasn’t until about the age of 12 that I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Throughout my childhood, I performed in countless recitals, plays, musicals and the like. I also began writing poetry, short stories and songs. Many of the songs that I wrote were Christian songs, but at the time, I had an immature understanding of my spiritual purpose and calling. I would read the bible every night religiously, but I still didn’t know what it meant to have a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, I continued honing my musical gifts and eventually developed a repertoire of over 200 jazz and big band tunes that I had memorized and could perform effortlessly. Some of my favorite jazz vocalists included Ella Fitzgerald (who is my all-time favorite), Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Mel Torme, Cleo Laine, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, June Christy, Blossom Dearie, Carmen McRae and Anita O’Day. Once I reached adulthood my musical gifts became my priority and I took advantage of opportunities to perform at numerous venues such as The House of Blues and for various organizations and events including the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival. I thoroughly enjoyed performing the jazz standards and big band hits as well as many of the Motown era R&B classics (and even a few Country music classics by request). But despite all of this, there was a pestering disturbance in my spirit that haunted me. I had long put aside my Bible and filled my thoughts and actions with the temporal things of this world. The enemy Satan had convinced me to isolate myself from the convictions of the Holy Spirit and as I continued to follow his lead, I was convinced that God had too many rules that he imposed on humanity so I decided that I would be the master of my own life.
Soon the opportunity arose for me to do something that I’d always wanted to do; fly around the world as a flight attendant. After successfully completing six and a half weeks of rigorous flight attendant training and beginning my fly career, I believed that I had achieved the highest level of joy and satisfaction possible. I was both performing and flying, but despite my “accomplishments”, the Holy Spirit continued to haunt me. Finally, my heart was so heavy with unrest that for the first time in a very long time I picked up my bible and began to read. As I read, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that although I had strayed from God, He NEVER strayed from me! God took me to Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” At that very moment I felt the Lord envelop me with His unconditional love and for the first time in my life, I understood what it meant to have a true relationship with Jesus Christ. I began to study the word of God and He continued to reveal to me the mysteries of His will. I had a newfound desire to not just read God’s word, but to apply it in my life.
I have continued to allow the Lord to take control of my vocal and songwriting gifts and use them to His glory. As a follower of Christ, my faith and walk with him convicted me to offer my gifts and talents that He has given to me back to Him to be used to His glory. I recognize now more than ever the need for sharing this method of delivery of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all mankind throughout the world and lifting HIM up! Now my singing repertoire consists exclusively of my God-given, bible based originals accompanied by big band jazz music, my jazzful praise.