No. 16 | This past Saturday evening I had the opportunity to share songs with some friends, some old ones, and some new. We had a wonderful evening together. As I consider the time, I am grateful for so many things.
I love to share the songs but must admit that I am a bit out of practice. I will leave those details for another time or personal conversations. Everything went well, better than I had hoped. I am just aware that I am a bit rusty after not being able to share them live for a while. I am still getting my stage legs back, I suppose.
I awoke on this particular Saturday morning considering that I would that evening be standing before a room of people expected to share a wagonload of songs. The thought made me a little nervous.
At the very next moment, I asked myself the question. How did I end up here? When I reach for the guitar in that room, how will I have ended up in that place? That is when the writing started. What a wonderful and heart encouraging experience. I encourage everyone to take pad and paper, smartphone notepad, or similar; and to engage in such an exercise.
If Jewell hadn’t married Molly.
If Maxine hadn’t married Herbert.
If the US had not dropped the big bombs on Japan to end the war.
If my mom hadn’t taken piano lessons as a little girl.
If Jewell and Molly hadn’t lived for a time in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
If Mary hadn’t turned Richard’s head.
If my dad hadn’t gone to work for Esso.
If my family hadn’t moved to Humble, Texas.
If my mom hadn’t been a piano teacher.
If my dad hadn’t backed her up when she said I was taking lessons.
If my dad hadn’t listened to Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Waylon, and Willie.
If I hadn’t grown up a Texas Baptist.
If my older brother hadn’t enrolled at Baylor University in the Fall of 1987.
If Kimberly hadn’t attended Baylor University in the fall of 1989.
If my hallmate and friend, Kevin hadn’t wanted to go see Becky who lived on Kimberly’s hall.
If Baylor hadn’t built a new music school building in 1990.
If Lyle Lovett hadn’t written and had the opportunity to record and share “If I Had a Boat.”
If I hadn’t met and gotten to know a piano player named John, whose last name has for too long escaped me; who played piano and wrote his own songs.
If I hadn’t served as music and youth pastor at the First Baptist Church of West, Texas.
If they hadn’t let me play my songs at Anderson Fair in Houston.
If Kimberly hadn’t said “yes”.
If my dad hadn’t asked me if I was sure I wanted to buy a house “in Houston”?
If Kimberly hadn’t been adventurous enough to move to Nashville.
If my friend Keith’s parents hadn’t moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.
If they hadn’t had good schools in Franklin, Tennessee.
If Kimberly and I hadn’t been invited to the Grace Awakenings Sunday School Class Christmas Party.
Had Scotty Smith not quoted Francis Schaeffer and talked about fly-fishing the first time I heard him preach.
If Tres had not invited me to go fishing with the First Nations Fly-Fishing Club.
If my dear friend Scott hadn’t left the life of a traveling musician.
If hurricane Ivan hadn’t hit Mobile, Alabama.
If Christ Community Church hadn’t planted West End.
If West End hadn’t planted Southpointe Community Church.
If David and Cara hadn’t bought their place in Nolensville.
Had David not asked this committed introvert if he could come over to check out my little basement studio.
Had I in a moment of weakness not said, “O.K.”
Had Mike Bauer not started Nolensville Guitar Academy. (Check our Nashville Guitar Academy)
Had Kristin Bauer not discovered this musical thing that I do and pulled me out of hiding.
If Claire hadn’t asked me to get my songs back on Apple Music last summer.
That is where I stopped. I am sure that I could go on and on. All of the moments of my life, the good ones and the less good ones had brought me to that Saturday morning. Heaven knows that I am grateful for every last one of them.
I have shared a few videos of a few of the songs from that night. You can check those out on the Songs page.