Traveling the Rock Road

Sorry I missed last week, guys; still getting over some medical issues. Here’s a story I started a few years back and thought it would be nice to finish and share with you wonderful people,

A few years back I was having coffee with an old musician friend who related this story to me. The two of us fell into that large category of musicians who tried to make it to the big time only to fall short. However, there was this person we both knew that had played on the big stage. Jess had been a member of a band from the 60s/70s that had several songs that made the Top 40 in their respective style. The band toured extensively during their moment in the sun and had a short resurgence in popularity in the 90s after a reunion tour, only to disband permanently soon afterwards. Our mutual friend, Jess, relocated to L.A. in hopes of continuing his musical career. Now it appeared Jess had returned home as my friend saw him going into a grocery store. He was going to go over and say hello until he noticed Jess was doing everything he could not to draw attention. Sitting in his car for a good amount of time; Jess finally got out, put his head down and quickly strolled into the store. My friend’s curiosity was now peaked so he sat in the parking lot until Jess came back out. When he did, Jess was carrying a bag of groceries and walked along the edge of the store like he was looking at something. When it was apparent no one was paying him any attention, he quickly headed to his old car that definitely had seen its better days and drove off.

As my friend was relating this story to me he began to chuckle, “I found out that old hotshot Jess hit rough times and was now broke, so he came home to live with his sister and does everything he can not to let others know how low he sank.” I don’t remember anymore, but I probably chuckled right along hearing of old Jess’ downfall. It was a while before it hit me that it really wasn’t funny at all; not just the fact that Jess had hit rock-bottom, but that he was embarrassed to have others know.  Perhaps because I never hit a pinnacle in life that was so high that if I fell it wouldn’t be seen as traumatic as Jess and ones like him. But I hold to the belief that an occupation, skills, gifts, mistakes and especially social status does not define who you are. I heard a saying I love that goes something like this, “I love that the morning’s sunrise does not define itself by last night’s sunset.” Isn’t that awesome?!! In other words, “Failure is not Final!” My favorite author relates this to God in your life when he says, “If we only have the will to walk, God is pleased with our stumbles.”

“Traveling the Rock Road” was never promised as easy, straight or without setbacks. But we’re told God is still with us no matter what; and He can use our failures as successes, as long as we don’t shut ourselves off from the world and to His love. Psalm 37:23-24 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” And remember, no matter how anyone else sees you (and that includes you) you are special and unique; God made you that way, and he loves you with all your faults!

“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning… Face it, friend. He is crazy about you! ” Max Lucado

The last word I heard on old Jess, he was picking up work as a studio musician, plus he’s playing in a worship band at his sister’s church. He’s no longer hiding, he’s happy. “Failure is not final!!
See ya next time.