Perspective: Steal My Show

A few weeks ago my kids and I had VEVO playing in the background while we did school at the dining room table. The music was upbeat, and helped to keep us focused.  We smiled at each other as we sang along.   It was very Brady Bunch like.

Then a song came on that we didn’t know, but we all were nodding our heads and tapping our feet, pencils, and fingers to it.

It was called “Steal My Show” by tobyMac.  The oldest asked if we could listen to it again.  She never asks for a repeat, so I tried to figure out how to get it to play again, but apparently I messed it up (that’s what the short guy told me.  “You messed it up, mom!  Now you can’t get it back ever!”).

 I grabbed my phone and googled the lyrics we could remember (HA! momma did get it back).  A video came up where Toby McKeehan (tobyMac) talked about what the song meant and how he explained it to his 5 year old son, Judah.

I knew right then and there why that song came on, and why my daughter asked for a repeat, even though she didn’t know why.  God knew I needed this explanation.

You see, I’ve been struggling deeply with originality and copycats.  I know it’s from Satan, I know it’s meaningless, but I’ve still had these struggles.

I met with my pastor over the summer and talked about some issues I was having.  He said something that forever
changed my thinking.

I have trouble delegating and tend to take on way more than I can handle.  He told me that my role isn’t MINE.  Even if my name is on it right now.   It ultimately belongs to God.  I may be filling that role for a short time, but it IS NOT MINE.  Say WHAAAAAT, Pastor??  Because for real, I didn’t see it this way.  I am so appreciative that I do now though.

So I’m at peace there.

I first joined a mom’s only group about 7 years ago.  I quickly took on what I could handle, and then some (as usual).
We had trouble getting volunteers to host MOMS NIGHTS.  So I hosted them, month after month, after month, for years.  Occasionally we would have one somewhere else, or someone would offer to host one, but I mostly did
it alone.

Then when other people started hosting them, they were using the same ideas that I had, or played a role in helping to orchestrate. It’s not like I made these ideas up myself, Google was my best friend during this pre-pinterest stage.

I took it as these women were taking over these events and doing it better than I was.  I was offended and hurt, but couldn’t tell them that, because I didn’t want to be catty.  I felt saddened every time someone would talk about how great an event was that a friend put on.  I felt like when I did it, it wasn’t good enough.  I put so much effort into it
and it hurt to feel like a failure.

Jesus opened my eyes to see that’s not what they were doing.  They were really lifting a burden from my shoulders, taking it and making it their own (for now.  Remember it’s never really ours). Intention is powerful.

I’ve blogged before about my frustrations with copycats.  I’m letting go, or perhaps I’ve really already let go.  Yeah, I’m pretty free from that.

I consciously choose to take on an attitude of: Go ahead, steal my show.  For God’s glory only, I’ll sit back and watch you go.  If you’ve got something to say go on and take it away.

I know that through this I will see God glorified, and hope to see happiness bloom in everyone whose life touches mine.  I only wish I had adapted to this years ago.  I’m sure my husband, who listens so dearly and offers sound advice, wishes I had resolved this years ago too.  Bless him.