... and then God laughed

It's been a wild six weeks. I did something I thought I would never, ever do- I stepped down from my position as Director of Music at Resurrection. I always said that playing music for the church would be the one thing I would never stop doing, that if I won the lottery I would still do it (although I would do less of it! haha) Yet here I was back in mid-July, offering my resignation to my good friend and (now former) boss, Father Ed. My reasoning was solid- I'd been given a substantial promotion at the University, and I just couldn't keep the church job going if I was going to be teaching full time and developing a Music Department at JPC. Director of Music is more than 40 hours a week, if you include all the weddings, funerals, special events, and of course playing 4 masses every weekend. It would be impossible to keep all that up. I suppose I could have offered to step back and become a part-time employee, rather than quit entirely, but I truly believe that would not be fair to my successor. No one wants to take a new job and have the previous guy breathing down your neck. No, the only proper solution was to walk away, and to walk away as quietly as possible. I was adamant about that part. No regrets.

Father Ed was supportive, and I spent the next two months shying away from rumors about my imminent departure. I know it probably annoyed some people who really care about me, but I didn't want a "farewell tour" or anything. I just wanted to keep doing what I was doing until I was done, and that's what I did. No regrets.

My last mass at Resurrection was on Sunday, September 3. It was a great day, and I was able to wave good bye with a smile. Twenty-two years at the same place is a long time, especially this day and age, but I was fully confident I was leaving everyone in good hands with Mark, my more than capable replacement, and I could close the door on this chapter of my life. No regrets.

Driving home that evening, I thanked God for the opportunities he's given me, for the great friends I'd made over the years, for the deepening of faith that this ministry has provided me. And I grew excited about being able to spend weekends with my family, about sleeping in on Sundays, and all the new experiences that I was going to have as a former church musician. It was a tremendous rush of exhilaration and joy... until I got to my front door.

My neighbor was there waiting for me, a good friend that I'd known since before my days at Resurrection. He told me the choir director down the street had just abruptly quit, and they desperately needed someone to play mass on Sunday. Would I? Could I? Please just come talk to the new pastor and see if I could help?

I had told God my plans. And then God laughed.

So, my friends, after a month of not being a church musician, I'm back at it. But only part-time, playing a mass or two on Sunday mornings at San Rafael, my old stomping grounds in Rancho Bernardo. For all of my friends who listened to podcasts here for COTR, don't be surprised when new songs start popping up for a different parish. And maybe stop by and visit from time to time! Please know that I'm completely shocked at how this has turned out- it was not my plan when I decided to leave Escondido. But HE does work in mysterious ways, doesn't he?