I’ll never understand how a
negative remark can shatter a person’s world, no matter the amount of people
cheering one on. Sure it may not happen to some people and it doesn’t have to happen; but for some of us it
has. It was around this time last year that I had not picked up my guitar in
nearly three months. I didn’t play, sing or write any songs; I purposely laid
them down and walked away.
It all dates back last year to a day in
September when I was told the songs I’ve written did not meet a certain
standard. Maybe it was stated in the wrong way, or I took it differently than
what they intended; fact of the matter is, I took it hard. Suddenly I felt like
I wasn’t accepted, that I’d never go far with music and that in all honestly, I
should just hang it up. Why pursue my heart when I’m told what I do is not good
enough? I held tight to this for months. When friends asked how my music was
going and if I was still writing, I’d say it’s going great and that I am
writing a lot. Truth was, I hid this hurt so well they never questioned my
response. It wasn’t until around the end of April that a mentor of mine asked
me how I let a single blow knock me to the ground; when in reality this was
nothing and I could have brushed it off and kept walking. I stopped in
mid-tracks to the thought of this… Wow, she was right. I choose to take an
offence and let it get to the point where I walked away from everything I
believed in, dreamed of.
Time went on and I began
to walk in excitement of my dream again, throughout the summer I was writing
songs and leading worship for different churches. By the time October came
around just two months ago, I was becoming more and more excited about my music
career. I had this feeling of knowing something big and life changing was
coming my way. November hit and a friend of mine bought me two tickets to a
Taylor Swift concert coming to Charlotte! I remember specifically praying that
morning asking that God would bless me in a way that I never saw coming. And
sure enough, He did! I decided to take my little sister and another amazing
friend of mine bought a ticket as well to join the party. The day finally came
for her concert and the moment Taylor came out on stage to sing her opening
song, I became emotional. I was thinking, “What the heck Morgan?! One, you
never cry. And two, this is a Taylor Swift concert for cryin’ out loud.” Haha.
But there was a reason behind it all. I was in an arena, surrounded by 14,500
fans. This was my dream. When Taylor took the stage, I saw myself. I knew that
it would not be long until I was where she is at; where my favorite sound is
screaming fans and I’d travel the world to play at sold out shows; where the
songs I’ve written would be sung throughout the day and be played over the
radio. I turned with teary eyes towards my sister and said, “I’m crying,” only
to hear that she was as well. My other friend turned to us and said the very
same thing. They both began to tell me that they too saw me up on that stage,
and that it wouldn’t be long. This stirring I had been feeling in my belly was
my dream awakening up inside of me, but this time it was no longer a dream…. It
was becoming reality. Three days later is where the writing of my first blog
takes place.
This story leads to a few
things I’ve had heavily on my heart recently. To begin with, never let anyone
or anything stop you from accomplishing your dreams, no exceptions. When you
believe so strong what’s in your heart, use this passion as determination to
see it through and never give up. If you fall, there’s always a chance to get
back on your feet and pick up where you left off. Which leads me to what I feel
is most important in this story. Forgiveness. Had I not been reminded of this
from my mentor back in April, I would have never been able to move on. I would
have stayed in that same place of hurt, swimming in stagnant water. However, I
got before the Lord and chose to truly forgive this person. Love entered in and
I was set free. The waters started to stir once more inside of my belly and I
began to write and sing for the first time since September 2010. The waters
never stopped stirring and here I am, walking through doors the Lord has begun
to open for me. Scriptures say, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” -Matthew
6:14. I believe that right now we are in a season of forgiveness.
It has been coming to my mind for the past month and I’ve heard several others
talk about this subject as well. It is important to release those who you have
held offences or bitterness against in your heart. In order to obtain liberty
and walk in the fullness of God, you must truly forgive and release. The
freedom you receive from this will allow you to walk through the doors you have
been waiting for to open. I leave you with this…
I dare you to forgive.
Much
Love XOXO,
Morgan
