The Music Man

Does the Lord ever speak to you through music?  He has always used the lyrics of a song to speak directly to my heart.  My youngest son, Noah, has found this to be true for himself as well.  My husband likes music – if you consider Weird Al Yankovic a musician!  My older son, Micah is moved by music too – not so much of the Christian genre but of the Flo-Rida, Bruno Mars, Pittbull - bass droppin’ and booty poppin’ variety.  There’s nothing wrong with a little bass, right?

This past weekend we attended Winter Jam 2016, a concert of ten Christian bands.  Ten bucks at the door gets you a night of entertainment – can’t beat it.  Noah was very excited about this event but I had to convince Micah to go.  He seemed to enjoy himself.  He especially enjoyed the Dip and Dots, funnel cake, French fries and thousands of dollars of other concessions he conned me out of (remember the cheap $10 concert we were attending?).  

At the end of the night Micah said to me, “You know how God speaks to Noah through Matthew West’s songs?  I think God spoke to me tonight through For King and Country.”  I asked him what God said to him.  He said, “I really can’t explain it”.  I just figured he was playing my emotions so I would buy him a For King and Country CD and necklace.   Trust me…this kid is good. 

Over the course of this week God revealed to me, again through music, that He had indeed spoken to Micah’s heart that night.  This revelation brought me to my knees. 

Micah announced at dinner about a month ago that his chorus class was doing a spring musical – The Music Man.  Of course, I immediately broke out my Broadway rendition of “Oh the Wells Fargo wagon is a comin’ down the way.  I wonder what it could be!”  (Crickets…and the look of “ok…momma must be off her medication again)  I LOVE The Music Man!  Micah told me that he wanted to play the lispy brother – Winthrop.  I was a little surprised that he wanted to try out for a part instead of fading into the background or not participating at all. 

During the audition they have to recite a monologue from the play and sing a part of a song of their choosing.  I have always scoffed at stage moms.  But there I was...in his bedroom…begging him to let me help him practice.  He refused…I insisted.  He told me “I’ve got this!”  I retorted “No you don’t!  Do you know the words to monologue by heart?  Do you even know what song you are going to sing?”  I finally wore him down so that he practiced the monologue.  He held on to the privacy of the song.  I pushed further, “How will you ever sing it in front of the panel of judges and other people if you cannot even…(pause for dramatic effect – sniff and wipe a tear)…sing it in front of your own mother?” He relented when I told him I would turn my back to him.

He sighed a deep breath.

From behind me I heard the most amazing voice sing these words:

Oh, to everyone who’s hit their limit

It’s not over yet

It’s not over ye-et

And even when you think you’re finished

It’s not over yet

It’s not over ye-et

Keep on fighting

Out of the dark

Into the light

It’s not over

Hope is rising

Never give in

Never give up

It’s not over

Guess who sings this song?  For King and Country!!!

I gushed over him.  He pushed me away and told me that was exactly why he does not like singing in front of me. 

The magnitude of God’s message did not hit me right away.  But somewhere in the midst of the constant replay of the song the Lord gently reminded me:  It’s not over.  Hope is rising.  Never give up.

They are inside your head,

you got a voice that says

You won’t get past this one

you won’t win your freedom. 

It’s like a constant war

and you want to settle that score. 

But you’re bruised and beaten

and you feel defeated.

You see, chorus was not even an option for Micah a year ago – let alone a spring musical.  Micah was wasting his educational days away in a classroom of 5-10 students.  He was not being challenged.  Music, art, physical education were not an option.  Hell, there was no library or cafeteria. 

We were desperately trying to get him back into a main stream classroom at his old school.  He was back there for a couple of classes a day but when a full day was discussed the special education department and principal passive/aggressively pushed back. They felt that it would be “best for Micah” if he transitioned when he entered middle school.  Sixth grade is still considered elementary school in this district so that meant another year of stagnation.  We all felt defeated.

Micah has fought for years against the darkness of his diagnosis.  He has struggled with depression, anger, isolation.  We have prayed so many prayers.  Asking God to protect him from the evil that prowled around him.  Praying that those around Micah would see the amazing child that we see.  I beg God daily to give Micah a hope, a future.   

This summer the Lord provided an opportunity for us to move to the county where my husband and I both work.  We took that leap of faith, praying it would be the right decision.  Sixth grade is considered middle school in our new county.  I met with the Director of Exceptional Student Services (aka Special Education) who gave us the option of putting him in a regular classroom setting or going back to alternative school.  I knew that Micah was more than capable. 

Oh, game set match

                It’s time to put it in your past, oh

Feel the winter leavin’

                                                It’s redemption season

Long live the young at heart

                Cheers to a brand new start

                                We’re revived and breathing

                                                                To live a life of freedom!

This child went from a one classroom building of five to ten children to a middle school – six periods, full classrooms, changing classes, and lockers!  Art, PE, chorus, and so many other options!  He has been surrounded by an administration and teachers who believe in him, who are willing to fight for him, who will not give up on him.  I had one teacher tell me she would be bloodied and bruised before she would let him leave their school. 

This is a good thing.  Because he still has days that remind him of his past - days of struggle, poor decisions and heartache.  Even the day of the musical auditions I received a phone call that Micah was being suspended from school. Fortunately, they still allowed him to audition.  He was cast in the chorus – one of the townspeople!

Life is a race we run

                So run til the race is won

                                Don’t you ever give up

                                                Oh no, never give up