The deaf will hear

Time and time again, when I am involved in leading any aspect of worship, I am praised for the clarity of my voice. I have even had a couple of deaf people tell me they can lip read from me very well.

I've always had a voice which carries and the deaf can hear. I haven't honed it or developed it. I just naturally have it.

It used to get me into trouble. Speaking in class when I shouldn't have been. Even though others were too, it was always me who got into trouble. Oops. I related this to someone today and they just told me, "well, it's paid off now".

It's funny, all through the selection process one of the talents I could bring to ministry I always mentioned a good clear voice. My rational is it's just as important people being easily able to hear the message as the message itself. Looks like, from this early stage, I am right about this being important and being appreciated by congregations.

So, this voice is another God-given talent. I've always know I had it and now I can (and am) using it as God needs me to. That's pretty cool.

Only mentioned it once (or twice), think I got away with it!

The services I led today went very well. The feedback I received was very positive. I know many people are more likely to make positive comments than give negative ones, but some of the individuals from whom I received praise only do so when something is really worth praising. It was very humbling to think I could invoke such a reaction. The holy spirit moved through me today, that I am sure of.

Comments I received included:

• Excellent service - truly excellent (vague I know, but to get that from this individual...I must have done something right!).
• I really enjoyed that.
• I love the way you cut to the chase and tell it like it is.
• Mrs Gerbil, that was excellent [referring to the sermon]. You said something that needed to be said. Thank you.
• Wonderful. Keep that service. The church which gets you will be blessed. (Humbling words indeed).
• That was a very good service. We old fuddy-duddies like how you manage to had a good balance of old and new.
• Your service was excellent. You also have a very good presentation voice. Your pronunciation is clear and you pace things just right. It's important people hear what you are saying and we heard every word. Thank you.

I'm amazed how well it went.  In terms of my delivery, I did feel I paced it right and I was clear. It was good to have that affirmed. As this service was touching on a local issue, I thought it may not have been so positively received. I did feel moved by the holy spirit to say what I had to say, but even Jesus' words were rejected by some, especially in his home town.

This has reassured me to trust the holy spirit. It will give me the words God needs me to speak. Today I trusted and God spoke.

Don't just talk to the children

The children's address today was about the prodigal son. I was at a loss for an idea until yesterday afternoon, when my hubbie suggested I started with "are you pleased to see me?". Then, I add on other statements, making the prospect of them being pleased to see me less and less appealing.

Giving the reaction of the children, the address went well. They interacted with me, answered my questions, almost laughed at my jokes and asked their own questions. All very encouraging.

After the service, the session clerk came to me, a bit worried. He hoped I wouldn't be offended by what he had to say. This had me a little concerned, as it takes a lot to offend me. Apparently, I'm speaking a little too fast during the children's address, so those with hearing issues are slightly struggling. I thanked him for letting me know. How am I going to know I'm not getting the message to all the congregation if no-one tells me?

I must remember, though I'm talking with the children, the children's address forms part of the service so it is important everyone can hear this. I will bear this feedback in mind for next time.