A Good Day Today

Every now and then you have a day that just shines. For me that usually means that I am very pleased with myself. Which is egotistical I know, but there are so few times when I am pleased that these days are rare.

I preached today in class, and though my presentation wasn't as good as always - I didn't have time to memorize the sermon so used my notes, I felt that it was a good sermon. I did what I set out to do and can only hope the Holy Spirit did what was needed. Now I say this was a good day because the prof who is from Knox Presbyterian thanked me for the sermon and said that it was... whatever he said. I've never preached in front of him and he is from a large church and is Presbyterian so I am feeling that at least in this critical arena I did something right. Even better is my program director who I have learned is not very expressive. He said that he missed lunch to hear my sermon which I thought was very nice, then he said "and it was worth it". He is not usually a compliment giver so I was really surprised. He is always very gracious and accepting but just doesn't spontaneously give affirmation. I get my actual analysis of how I did next week from him but I feel pretty good. Now the thing about preaching is that good and bad don't really mean anything because the Spirit does the convicting. But technically it must have been okay.

I led the class in a new song today - which if I hadn't been so tired I would have actually practiced first. It was really hard at first because I don't sing and without music I'm not really sure what key or range or whatever I'm supposed to be in. I usually try to figure out from the person next to me. But I was resolved to do this feat and taught them a simple benediction. I felt a bit self conscious - there is nothing worse then hearing your own voice as other silently listen to learn the tune. But its a safe place to do this and I was just relieved that I went ahead and did it in spite of being embarassed.

Here's the funny bit which was the icing on the cake - during lunch one of the guys asked me if I had seen Sweeney Todd because I sing just like some actress - I don't know her name - Helen Botham Carter or something. I wasn't sure what to say - I must have looked a bit taken aback so he said that this was actually a compliment. I told him I feel sorry for her - I can't imagine what we could have in common. He did seem to think it was a compliment. So, I have held off on trying to find a clip of this actress' singing because I really can't imagine it. Someone else chimed in that I have a beautiful voice. I really don't know what to think. Did you see the Seinfeld episode where a doctor calls Elaine "breathtaking" and then uses the same word to describe the world's ugliest baby? I'm sort of in that mode of thinking right now.