A New Sense of Confidence

I have found a new sense of confidence recently. I’d like to share the source of it in hopes that it might help others confidently face situations that normally would rattle their resolve.

After Mom passed, our family discussed longing to hear her sing again. We were all beyond pleasantly surprised when Dad announced he had a recording of her singing “He’s Alive,” her Easter special which the church requested she sing every year, year-after-year. 

We all cried as we listened to the voice that serenaded us over the years, overwhelmed with gratitude at the precious moment that no longer depended on our memory alone. We had it in recording, and we were so thankful.

After listening and discussing how beautiful it was, Dad told us that Mom never wanted him to share that video. Mom was disappointed that her voice had “cracked” at a certain point in the song. But to us, it was perfect. It’s a glimpse of the praise she is now singing in her Savior’s presence. Having that video is a priceless gift, and I have listened to it countless times since that day. Each time, I have thought how sad it was that she never realized how beautiful her gift of song was. 

But I’m so grateful she sang anyway.

What a gift her family and church would have missed out on if she had let the fear of messing up keep her from trying in the first place. She was always very nervous when she sang. But she still sang. 

Recently, I sang a solo for the first time in years. Was I nervous? Absolutely. But I have learned that I want my children to see me face things that frighten me. I want them to learn through example that allowing God to use us in ways that make us uncomfortable is worth it. He receives the glory. That’s the whole point and all the reason we need.

After church, the kids asked to hear the song I sang on the radio. They listened as Lauren Daigle sang it beautifully, perfectly. Then they said, “I like it better when Momma sings it.”

There is not a doubt in my mind who sang it better; it wasn’t me. But my children' s response was the same response I had when listening to my mother sing. It was perfect to them.

These two incidents have encouraged me to not strive for perfection, but to always be willing to let God use me in the ways I feel him leading (hence my writings).  

It wasn’t in himself that David found the nerve to take on Goliath. David’s assurance was found in God. God didn’t need David to be stronger, faster, or more fierce than the giant; He just needed David to be willing to face the fearsome giant. 

Paul had the same understanding when he said, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

You see, my self-confidence is no longer found in myself at all. And it has made all the difference. 

My strength is in my weakness.

My confidence is in God.

We don’t have to feel the need to perform perfectly; we just have to be willing. But in your children’s eyes, they might just see perfection. 

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