Full Circle

Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to be able to perform at the Assemblies of God National Fine Arts Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina. Not only did I get to play for nearly 13,000 students who love Jesus, but I also got to watch as these same kids performed skits, songs, and human videos at the end of a week-long competition that culminated in an awards ceremony. I actually competed at Nationals 5 years ago in Washington D.C. with my home church, Faith Assembly of God Orlando. I was competing in the songwriting and "Female Vocal Solo" categories. And you know what? I didn't even place in either category. To come full circle and be able to tell the students who were competing this year that I never won anything at Nationals was incredible. I've gotten countless emails since then from kids who were encouraged by my story. Isn't God incredible? He even uses disappointment for His glory. Hallelujah!

Now for those of you wondering, a human video is basically a group-skit set to music. HV's require a lot of skill and are truly an effective means of ministering the gospel. Here is an example of one that my friend David Slaton directed. This HV just so happened to win first place at Nationals this year, and I was able to watch it from the front row! It is powerful and moving. Please take a few minutes to watch it here.

I was absolutely beaming when I watched this last weekend. I was also close to breaking down in tears. Seeing so many familiar faces from home was a reminder of the life I had to leave behind when I moved to Nashville. Don't get me wrong--I LOVE Nashville and my friends here, but there is so much still at home that I am no longer a part of. So much has changed within me and within the people who used to be part of my everyday life. It's mind-boggling to see how people change. Mostly it's for the better. Sometimes it's not. I'm still praying for certain relationships to heal, and I still need God's grace everyday to keep me moving forward instead of looking back. A wise woman recently told me that every decision is a death. Every decision requires something to die in your life. There will be a loss and a gain. It's foolish to pretend that decisions aren't difficult. Every single one is tough, in one way or another. 

But He is good no matter what. He never stops loving. He is love. Praise God.

Francesca