Surpassed...with pride

Tonight was a gorgeous summer night in Virginia. There was no humidity (surely only by the grace of God) and it was in the 70's outside. A perfect night to be hanging out somewhere listening to music. And that's what I did tonight, I went out to a local coffee shop (the Daily Grind) and listened to music.

Tonight was a special treat, not just because of the weather. Though I would have to say that it was the kind of night if you could capture it in a bottle and sell it, you would be a gazillionaire. It was special because all of the artists I heard tonight were "my kids," students that I worked with when they were in high school and college. Three of them were in my student band, Toluca Road and the other I continue to kick myself for turning down, but he's none the worse for wear.

Tim, Jason, Matt and Rory have always been amazingly talented young men. I remember sitting with Tim in a guitar class at camp when he was in the 8th grade thinking, "this kid is going to be amazing." I remember having him in Toluca Road and pushing him to sing even when he was dealing with that voice change thing boys go through. He writes songs that are one minute funny and then next minute thoughtful and beautiful. Jason is by far the best drummer I know and it's because he has always looked at the whole picture of the song and how he can best add to it. Matt, well Matt is astounding. He can play any instrument you put in front of him in just about any style and usually carries with him an assortment of odd instruments that he only really knows the name of and how to play. And then there's Rory. He's the one I turned down. He's an artist on every level, in high school he played Jesus in Godspell and to this day I don't think I've seen anyone play that part as well. He's become an amazing singer/songwriter. He's such an incredible wordsmith, every song painted in rich hues sometimes impressionistic in nature other times with clean, cutting lines.

As I sat and listened to these "boys" (none is younger than 20) play their own songs or covers of songs they love I was so moved with pride and love and awe. I think the thing I love the most is to watch their friendship in action. They laugh and tease and throw around inside jokes. They love music and their friendship. To all of them pursuing music is just a part of who they are. Part of their pursuit of the One who put that music inside them. I have to say that as I listened to them, I knew too that they have surpassed me in skill creatively, musically and lyrically. That could make one depressed or angry but for me it did two things. First of all it made me want to be better, to spend more time at my craft, to practice, to study, to pour out the words I know are in me. The second thing it did was it made me proud. I'm proud that they have surpassed me.

I'll never have children of my own, but these "boys" were the among the ones that God has let me be a part. I'm not saying I taught them much of anything musically. Each one was gifted far beyond my meager abilities, but what I did was pour love, affirmation, truth and sometimes discipline into their lives. I gave them opportunities to grow and change and make music. And even though many years have passed since those days, I still that I think I can take some pride in that. Not in a bad, puffed up, "look at what I've accomplished" kind of pride, but a "look what God let me be a part of" kind of pride. I love each one of my kids and carry each one of them in my heart . I hope to be surpassed by each one of them in grace, love and faithfulness.