Final Thoughts On The Road

It's raining today. I look outside my window here in Chattanooga and see the dark clouds over head, the water drops running off of the roof and down onto the window. I can hear the soft peaceful sound of the rain all around me. For me it is also a rainy day metaphorically. This is my last day in Tennessee for a while and I'm sad to leave. On the other hand, just as the sun is supposed to come out later today, so will it rise again for me. I can't wait to come back.

All of my life I have always wanted to leave the north. It isn't anything to do with the people there. I have some great friends back in Maine and I have some very fond memories as well. I just have always had my heart in the south. Many people in the northeast do not understand this. Many have never left the borders of their state let alone their city and have never seen the beauty that lies in other parts of the world. Some will even put you down for suggesting that there is a world outside of the bubble. Maine is a very odd place like that. It really is just that sometimes... a bubble.

As a musician, a songwriter, and a performer I have always wanted to take my craft and use it full time. The problem is that the northeast, specifically Maine, has never been music central. If a person feels wholeheartedly that God is calling them to be a fisherman, than they need to leave the desert and move towards a body of water. It is the same for me. As a contemporary Christian music artist, if I'm seeking a full time career in the music business, I need to be where the action is. It is certainly here in Tennessee.

I've learned so much while being on the road. I have certainly been able to add to my experiential knowledge of the business. I have been able to meet a lot of great people, and I have been able to already make Tennessee my home. I have also experienced my greatest spurt of spiritual growth. I think that tends to happen when you really let God take control and fully rely on Him for every need. Many claim to do this, but I will tell you that when you walk away from stable week to week employment to follow a calling with no idea where your next income will come from and all you can do is trust God that He is going to provide because He is the one who told you to step out, that is where you see your faith in the "unseen" strengthen, and the more that you see God come through in big ways, the easier it gets.

When I wrote my first blog on tour about the rolling hills and the emotions and memories I was feeling at the time, I talked about how my dream was coming true and that I knew I was home. I can tell you that those feelings are only stronger now. I've been living my dream and I've been able to make Tennessee a home for myself. At this moment I feel so blessed that I have been able to experience this life, and I will tell you that it is all because God called and I followed.

I see all around me people who have so much potential and are very gifted with talents that God has given to them. They have passions. They have dreams. They have callings. The problem is they also have fear. They are afraid to leave what they know. Many will hide under the umbrella of "waiting on the Lord." Waiting on God is a great thing, but when He called the Israelites into the promise land, He didn't make them magically appear there like they were getting beamed on Star Trek. They had to walk forward in faith and leave behind all that they knew and journey through the desert for 40 years. During that time, they had to continually walk in faith that God was going to provide for them, They never would have seen the promise land unless they had walked there on their own two feet. Too many of the Christians I know, lose out on their God given dreams by choosing to stay in Egypt. They have excuse after excuse why they can not leave and I believe that great things can come by just stepping out and walking. If it isn't the direction that God is calling you to head in, He will surely close the door.

This particular tour will always hold a special place in my memory bank as it was my first. It was also the bridge builder I needed to move down here later this year. I love the people of the south. From Joe the drummer waiting tables at the Rain Forest Cafe in Nashville, to Eric and Chase making the greatest Chai tea in the world at Chattz in Chattanooga. From Ed and Tiff at the local bank cracking jokes and making banking fun, to the older woman at a Rite Aid Pharmacy who welcomed me here on my first night. From Pastor Brian in Sweetwater to Pastor Roger and Harry in Crossville. From Jonny Lang to Phil Keaggy. From the home of no cell reception, Murphy, North Carolina, to the fun folks in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and to everyone else who has supported me on the road, I say thank you. You were all contributors in the dream coming true.

I can't wait to come back to Tennessee in June. The tour in June is going to be great and I can't wait to see some more new places. Hope you guys can make it to the shows!

God given dreams come true if we are willing to follow Him.

God Bless,
SL