Day Two: Affirmed

Wow. What an incredible day. I had one of those things I call a "God-Sighting". One of those moments where time seems to stop and something amazing is revealed. I had just finished a long day of teaching guitar classes - from 8 am until 5 pm - and was having a conversation with a student of mine, a 12 year old girl. She wanted to ask me a question. She mentioned that the worship leader at her church had asked her to consider playing guitar in the worship band. I told her that she was certainly skilled enough. Personally, I think that her church is getting ready to be blessed with her talents.
This is where the moment - the "God-sighting" - took place. In the midst of this conversation, I flashed back to the kids I have taught who are now involved in worship bands, leading worship, going to college for music or getting ready to go to college, recording, performing... wow. I can name kids in each of those classifications - and here I was, watching another young musician taking her first steps into ministering to others with the gifts that our God has planted in her. I was watching the birth of ministry.
I thanked her for blessing me with this conversation, and she responded, a bit bemused,
"How did this just bless you?"
I took a breath, and responded
"I'm almost 55 years old. Men in my family rarely live past 70 years of age, so that means that if the odds play out, I have roughly 15 years of life left." (if you think this type of conversations is a bit macabre to be having with a 12 year old, it's only because you don't know this girl. She is one of the most even-keeled young ladies I have ever met, mature beyond her years)
She responded with
"okayyyyy - I blessed you how?"
I went on to tell her "As you get older. you will find yourself from time to time evaluating what you are doing with your life, sometimes being tempted to second-guess your life's decisions. I'm no different. I am not famous, I am not rich, and don't have any plans to attain either of those goals. As far as being a professional musician goes, I am traveling the road less publicized. The world will probably judge my life as one that did not live up to its potential..." she interrupted me by saying, rather forcefully I might add, "that is NOT God's opinion!"
I smiled and said "I know - that's why you just blessed me."
She smiled and left the classroom, running to meet her mother.

I have said it before and I will say it again - I would rather be well known by God and anonymous to man than the other way around. I love being a teacher. I love seeing ministry birthed. I love today. And God's plans for my life were affirmed by a 12 year old girl. Another good day in the world of Mr. G.