Featured

The dress

Featured / Julie Harris / 1 Comment

I am unapologetically nostalgic and sentimental. Actual “stuff” isn’t that important to me- but the memories that certain things bring to my heart are priceless.

There are a few items that are special to me- one of which is my great-grandmother’s piano. It was passed down to my grandmother, and I can remember visiting her home during the holidays and I couldn’t wait to play it! When I got married, my grandmother gave me the piano as my wedding gift. I have used this piano to teach many, many children and adults how to play piano through the years.

My grandmother’s piano

Another special item is a lamp from my granny’s house. When I was a child, I remember this lamp in the room that my sister and I would stay in. It was a lamp on the top, and there was another light on the bottom that filtered through a base of tiny stars. When just the bottom portion of the light was on, it was like a night light- shining stars all over the room. It was magical– and I am happy to have this.

The magical “star” lamp

My beloved mother in “love”, Iris, passed away this past June. We are so grateful that my in-laws decided to move to Charlottesville last year. They left their home of over 33 years, and left much of its contents behind, too. I really admired them for make this move- to leave behind all the “stuff” to be near family. We will be forever grateful for that last year with our Mom. For the first time in our marriage (of over 25 years), we got to go to church nearly every Sunday with my in-laws. I will never forget leading worship during that year and seeing my precious mother in love raise her hands and sing praises. We spent many Sundays going out to lunch and spending time together- and that was a priceless gift!

My father-in-law had been asking me and my daughters to go through Moms clothing to make sure there wasn’t anything we wanted. Well, I knew we didn’t wear the same sizes, and didn’t think there was any clothing that we would use- after all, they left most things behind when they moved here.

Recently, my father-in-law told me a friend was going to pick up her clothing to take it to a local clothing closet. I was thankful that the friend was helping him! And then the following week, the friend called me to let me know the mission had been accomplished. He had delivered the clothing to a clothing closet, and then he said he took the wedding dress to a consignment shop. I immediately felt a lump in my throat- her wedding dress?! I had just assumed that her wedding dress wouldn’t be given away…

I thanked him for helping my father in law, and as soon as I got off the phone, I prayed. Lord, is this something I’m gonna regret not keeping? Lord knows, I don’t need another piece of clothing in my closet, lol! But something inside of me said I had to find it.

I called my father in law and asked for him to describe the bag it was in, and had him text me a picture of Mom in the dress. I called the shop, and the owner was very kind. “I think I remember this coming in. You’re welcome to come by to see if we still have it.”

As I drove to the shop, I remembered all the times Mom talked about that special day- how beautiful she felt in that dress and how overjoyed she was to get married to her sweetheart! They were happily married for over 50 years! Her wedding dress was one of the few things Mom actually wanted to bring here with her to Charlottesville- and I just couldn’t let it go!

I entered the shop and explained what I was looking for. She took me to the dress section, and there were several wedding dresses- but none resembling my Mom’s dress. I described the bag to her and she said she’d go check in their processing room to see if it was still there.

“I think we have it!” I followed her into the back room, and there it was- still hanging in the original bag, with the original receipt stapled to it. “Merry Christmas,” they said as they handed me the bag. I had tears in my eyes as I shared with them about my precious mother-in-“love” and what she meant to me- and what a treasure it is to have this dress in my family.

When I got home that day, I carried the white dress bag in with me. It was like bringing a “treasure” home! I hope that one day I can pass this beautiful heirloom down to my daughters and tell them the story of how special this dress was to Grandma.

My beloved mother-in-love

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. -Philippians 1:3

Featured

Presents

Featured / Julie Harris / 1 Comment

the greatest gift

is your

presence

Last week was my husband’s birthday. I admit that I am not a good “gift giver”. It’s not that I don’t enjoy giving gifts, or purchasing things for others- it’s the pressure of looking for that perfect thing- the one that will make someone feel like the king (or queen) of the world, as Leonardo DiCaprio says in the movie Titanic. And let’s face it- as adults, most of us have what we need– and if we don’t, then we just buy it!

The girls and I got him a few things that we knew he would like, but we knew the best present to give him was the gift of being with friends. He is an extroverted “people person” and loves being social- and he also enjoys playing games. So the girls and I planned a small murder mystery game party with a few of our closest friends (who are like our family).

And I think I was the one who received the greatest gift that night…

As an introvert, I love watching people and taking in the scene. I watched the joy and excitement on my hubby’s face that evening and it was such a blessing to me. It was a blessing to be with our close friends, and to see the girls’ and my “gift” played out (pun intended 🙂 all evening long!

The greatest gift YOU can ever give is yourself–

your time, your talents, your attention…

your PRESENCE.

In YOUR presence there is fullness of JOY- Psalm 16:11

the leader of the band

/ Julie Harris / 2 Comments

This past October, my dad passed away. My sister and I were able to be by his side and I am grateful for those final moments with him.  My dad was an amazing musician and I always thanked him for passing down his musical skills to me 🙂

I was able to bring home one of my dad’s prized possessions- his guitar! Dad bought a new guitar about 15 years ago and I remember him telling me about it. He had always wanted a “Martin” guitar, and it had the best sound of any he’d ever owned. Once I brought it home, I vowed to practice every day until I got confident enough to play the guitar at church while leading worship. 

My dad was always proud of me when I was making music…how cool to use his guitar as an instrument for worship! I have played every day since I brought it home. Every morning, for about 15-20 minutes (because that’s all my fingers could handle!) I would sit and play worship songs by ear. 

And this past Sunday it happened- I played guitar and sang, and I made it through 4 songs without my fingers falling off! I was so nervous- I could feel my legs shaking as my feet rested on the foot stool’s wooden bars. It was a dream come true for me, as I have wanted to play guitar since I was a little girl. My fondest childhood memories of my dad are of listening to him play guitar in the early morning hours.

I know my dad would have been so proud. ”You done good!” is what he would have said to me. I can’t get the song “The Leader of the Band” by Dan Fogleberg out of my mind today. May my dad’s passion for music live on through me…

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band – Dan Fogleberg

Let Go

/ Julie Harris / 1 Comment

Surrendering all

that fills my hands 

to the One that fills 

my heart 

Our family has been in a season of change for quite some time now. I don’t like change- not one little bit. I like predictability and to know what to expect out of life. I also know that my greatest personal growth has come from circumstances that have catapulted me into a change. 

I let go of a full time job. It was scary. I felt a little bit like I had “failed”. But ultimately I realized that I learned a TON in that year and I also realized how much I missed teaching music and having music be my vocation. I went back to teaching piano and voice lessons this past February, and the Lord has GREATLY blessed me with over 30 students! By the way- I have so many awesome, funny, heart-warming stories to tell you 🙂 

We let go of doing things that don’t bring us joy.  So it is not a shock to anyone that knows us that we are not outdoorsy people. We don’t enjoy yard work and we don’t spend a lot of time in our yard. (maybe because it doesn’t look so good, lol…) Instead of taking on the daunting task of cutting back 19 years of overgrown bushes and trees, we reached out to a local friend who owns his own business to help us take care of these things. We are making more time to do things we enjoy while also contributing to a local business- and now our front yard looks amazing! WIN WIN WIN! 

I’m learning to let go of my children. My children are not kids anymore- they are young adults. We dropped our youngest daughter off at college for the first time, and I cried like a baby. It was hard to put into words, but after having complete oversight of everything they did and everywhere they went for so many years, it filled me with such anxiety to leave her there and let her go. I called her a couple of days ago and she sounded great. She was doing laundry and taking care of all kinds of things. I asked her if she missed being at home and she said NOPE! Her bed in her dorm is even more comfy than the one at home. That was all it took for me to realize that everything we have done as parents for the last (almost) 18 years has prepared her for this, and she is doing great! And if she was good- then I am good, too! Since that call I have been able to let go of my anxious thoughts and trust God with the rest. 

I’m letting go of a bunch of junk in my house! After living here for 19 years, we have accumulated so much stuff! I am getting rid of it little by little- and it feels sooo good.  

Cluttered house = cluttered mind.

I’m letting go of expectations. Now that we are almost completely “empty nesters” and middle aged, it is easy for me to think about all the dreams I have had and the expectations of where I would be career wise at this point in my life. What I am doing now is not what I planned on doing. But I get to make music with some amazing people and I get to make a positive impact on their lives every week- and that brings me great joy! I am learning that it’s ok to not be busy all the time and that it’s ok to actually enjoy life. Since my husband works from home full time now, we are able to spend more time together than we EVER have! I never would have predicted how amazing my life would be today. God’s plan for my life has been far better than my own could have ever been! 

So I continue to let go and surrender my days to the Lord- and embrace all of Him! He has been good to me and I have been blessed!

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. -Isaiah 43:18-19

New Eyes

/ Julie Harris / 1 Comment

Life is all about perspective, isn’t it?

Like Tiktok.

I admit that I am one of those moms who has been dead set against my kids using it. Now that my girls are young adults, I trust that I have raised them and trained them up right- so I know they use it, but I’m ok with that. 

In fact, I started going on Tiktoc after my daughters and I saw Taylor Swift in concert. I realized that the more I “liked” a certain type of video, the more of that type of content I saw. So I got to see lots of Taylor videos…and then that turned into cottage cheese recipes (which I am loving, btw), and then of course mom stuff. 

Speaking of mom stuff, I am definitely going through a mom transition. My girls are grown and my last “baby” is getting ready to go off to college. I have been both happy and sad for a while- it really depends on the day. I am so excited for her to have this experience, and sad that she will be doing all these great things without me. 

But isn’t it just like Jesus to use something like Tiktok to give me perspective? 

He must have known how I have been feeling, because I opened up Tiktok the other day, and there was a woman about my age talking about her life situation.  She was about my age, and she had never gotten married and had never had children. It wasn’t because she didn’t want those things- she just never met the right man to settle down with. She said she is in a constant state of grief- mourning the life she always pictured she would have at this age. She had even picked out the names of her children.

I instantly felt convicted.

Because here I am, basically living out my “dream”…. two amazing daughters and a wonderful husband…. teaching voice and piano lessons… doing ministry and serving Him in ways that are fulfilling to me- and yet I was having a pity party for myself.

I tell you- Jesus must have known I needed this little reminder, because recently I went with my daughter to her college orientation. A day that I thought would leave me feeling overwhelmed and sad, and I was genuinely happy!  It was like He gave me a whole new set of eyes to see the situation. Back when I went to college, I lived at home and commuted back and forth. I always wanted to know what it would have been like to live on campus… and now my daughter gets to experience that! What a blessing!

I don’t know exactly what this new phase of parenting will look or “feel” like… but thanks to a Tiktok video, I am reminded of the blessing that I “get to” parent two amazing adult children…

and I’m ready to buckle up for the ride and enjoy the journey 🙂 

wild flowers

/ Julie Harris / 2 Comments

I love teaching piano and voice lessons! 

I met a new student recently. She was an energetic 9 year old with a big personality. As I talked to her, she frantically played the piano keys. I told her it would be hard for her to hear me over her playing and she placed her hands in her lap. 

I could see her fidgeting with her clothing, the buttons on the piano bench- basically ANYTHING she could touch to keep her hands busy when she wasn’t playing. 

I went home that day and loaded my tote with ALL the things. I put every fidget spinner I could find in it, and also ordered literally a thousand fun stickers. I was going into this one prepared next time! 

Imagine my surprise this week when she walked through the door of my lesson room with her hands behind her back. She extended her hands and then opened them to reveal little wildflowers. 

“I picked them for you!” 

Then began our lesson. It was like a completely different girl! Not once did I have to tell her to stop playing while I was talking! She loves to sing and I noticed she sang the words of every piano song in her lesson book as she played. “I love the way you sing and play,” I told her. She smiled and said her last teacher discouraged her from doing this because she thought it was a distraction from her playing. I told her maybe one day she will write and sing her own songs!  She smiled as she pulled out a piece of paper from her bag- “I already wrote a song!” And then she played and sang it for me. I was SUPER impressed- it was called called “Wildflowers Bloom”.

I told her I love to sing, too, and in fact I teach voice lessons.  Her eyes lit up and she shared with me all of her talent show wins with singing. I think we are going to have great fun together.

What a joy it is to play a part in her (and all of my students) musical journeys!  

I am blessed ♥️ 🎹 

be the church

/ Julie Harris / Leave a comment

One of the things I love doing in the car when I am driving alone is to pray out loud. I just start talking to the Lord and I will start off praying about something and then it’s like He puts other people and things to pray for in my thoughts… so I just keep on praying until I get to my destination. When I am driving to teach music lessons, I pray for my students. I pray for each of them and then pray that He would use me in their lives for His glory.

As I was praying the other day, He gave me this amazing thought – some of your students don’t know who I am… and some of them have never even been to a church. But YOU are the church because you are my disciple and my Spirit lives in you… so when your students come to take lessons from you- it’s sort of like they are going to “church”.

And then I prayed that He would give me opportunities to do just that- be the church!

And guess what happened? One of my students mentioned that she had gone on a youth retreat this past weekend. She had a great time, but the whole week afterwards had been very challenging. The Lord prompted me to ask her if she would like to sing worship songs during her lessons.

She mentioned a song that she really liked- and it was one I knew by heart. I began to play the piano introduction, and her whole demeanor changed. She closed her eyes and sang with emotion. I told her this was the kind of music that would help encourage her when she was feeling down.

When our lesson was over, I shared with her mom about our conversation and that we would also work on singing a few worship songs. Her eyes lit up, and then she opened her jacket to show me her t-shirt which read “Jesus is dope”. She shared with me that they had just gotten back into a church after going through a tough time.

And then I planted a seed- I said who knows? Maybe the Lord will have your daughter singing and leading worship at your church one day!

It was one of several amazing holy spirit- led conversations I had that day. I often wonder- would these conversations have happened if I hadn’t have prayed for these opportunities?

You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27

Radiate

/ Julie Harris / 1 Comment

I had just left church to grab lunch for David and I. Both of us have been under the weather for what seems like weeks. David stayed home from church and I went, but I had no voice. That is no fun leading worship when you don’t have a voice to sing or even speak. BUT we have an awesome worship team- and it’s not about me anyways! So I got to worship through playing piano and the team really stepped up and sang their hearts out!

It was a little weird leaving church without my hubby, and I wasn’t feeling the best either. I have been discouraged because I have not felt well for weeks now and after a while it gets you down, know what I mean?! Anyway, I got to the restaurant and gave them my to-go order, paid, and then sat down in a chair to wait for it.

I took out my phone, and immediately put it back in my bag. I just felt like was going to miss out on something. Who would have thought I had FOMO on being PRESENT?! That’s something I need to do more of!

I happened to look at the line of people waiting to order, and there was a really sweet couple standing at the register ordering their food. It was taking them a while to order, and the cashier was being so patient with them. This was a special couple- they both appeared to have down syndrome, and they kept staring at each other- grinning from ear to ear! It was the absolute most beautiful thing to see two people so in love. They stood there for a moment, and then a lady came up behind them to give them money. She looked like she was possibly the mother of one of them. They paid for the order and then took the change with absolute glee.

I was honestly a little jealous of their child-like wonder. They were so filled with joy- just standing there together in love, not a care in the world, their smiles lighting up the whole room. Nothing else mattered. In that moment I began to think about all of the moms through the years who have been faced with the prospect of having a child with special needs. How many special needs pregnancies have been terminated due to fear of the unknown, not knowing if they could handle raising a child that was different? Or maybe they were pressured by doctors to make a choice they hadn’t even considered being an option. I began to cry sitting there in the restaurant. I was filled with joy watching the two of them, and my joyful tears spilled out.

My number was called, and I grabbed my to-go order. I really wanted to speak to the mom but I didn’t know what to say. In a split second, I realized the only clear path out of the restaurant was right in front of this lady’s table. I walked up to the table and asked her if she was related to the couple at the register. She smiled so proudly. “Yes, that is my son.” I told her that I saw the love and joy they had on their faces and that it was very moving. She said that they had just recently gotten engaged to each other. How wonderful. I told her I just wanted to let her know that their beautiful smiles and the love and joy on their faces really blessed me. She smiled and said “they bless me every day!”

We have all been created by Him for His purpose. I don’t know if that couple knew Jesus, but I can tell you that the love of Jesus radiated all around them.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. – Psalm 139:13-16

Happenstance

/ Julie Harris / 1 Comment

One of the best things about leaving my full time job recently is that I have more time to do things I love! And the awesome thing is that the more time I make for Him, the more I see Him at work around me.

Like Wednesday.

Wednesday mornings I go to a senior living center and do a mini worship service- we sing hymns, I sing a special song or two, and then I share a 10 minute devotional with them. It is one of the highlights of my week! Since I knew I would already be in town, I also arranged to meet a new friend for lunch. This is someone I had just met- but the Lord led me to reach out and spend time with her.

On the way to meet her, I kept thinking about one of my friends whom I hadn’t spoken to in several weeks. I’m going to call her on the way home, I thought to myself as I pulled up to the restaurant. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and my new friend got there at the same time as I.

We ordered and then sat down to eat. After about 5 minutes, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. Would you believe it was the SAME person that I was going to call that afternoon?! This is someone who hardly goes out… and here she was in the same restaurant as I! And then I look over at her table, and there was another friend from church with her. I couldn’t believe it. But then, there is no such thing as happenstance when we walk with God!

After our lunch, I took my new friend to introduce her to my friend. After the introductions, both of these precious ladies shared with me some prayer requests. Hard situations with no real answers. I have learned through the years, that prayer IS the most important thing we can ever do for people. “Let’s pray now, ” I said as I grabbed their hands.

And right in the restaurant we went to the Father, interceding in prayer for these situations. There was a sense of peace that came over me as I prayed. I can’t explain it other than I know God wanted me to be there at that moment doing exactly what I was doing.

As I drove home, I praised God for how he orchestrates the steps of my life. I am so thankful that I “get to” serve Him in all these little, meaningful ways!

And what a blessing to know that we can BE the church- right in the middle of a restaurant!

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

– Psalm 119:133

Turning over a new leaf

/ Julie Harris / Leave a comment

I have joked many times about the fact that I have a ‘black thumb of death”. Literally every plant I have EVER had, I have failed to keep it alive. Oddly enough, my mom and my sister both can not only keep plants alive, but in their tender care- plants THRIVE! Both of them can grow amazing plants from tiny clippings and they just seem to have an instinct for how to care for them.

When my first daughter was born (next month she will turn 20- how is this possible?!), my mom gave me a beautiful African violet. I did everything I could to keep it alive, but it seemed to be always on the brink of death. And after about 6 years, it finally succumbed to its eternal fate.

When my beloved mother in law passed away last summer, we were given a beautiful peace lily. I thought I’d give it another shot at keeping a plant alive. Then my sister gave me a couple of her “baby” plants. She gave me a little bit of advice- just water it once a week and keep it in a partially sunny place. Well, that didn’t seem too difficult!

Imagine my delight when I noticed a NEW flower blooming on the peace lily this morning! And I thought- what if it really isn’t that hard taking care of plants? What if my labeling of myself as “someone who can’t make anything grow” has limited my ability to actually nurture plants?

Now that I have stepped away from my full-time job, I have time to actually appreciate little things like a new flower blooming. And as I noticed the flower, I glanced outside and there was a beautiful red cardinal staring at me. I am GRATEFUL for the ability to slow down and notice these little things.

And all morning I have pondered this- what other areas of my life have I limited my abilities by my negative thinking?

I think I can, I think I can…

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8

My Density

/ Julie Harris / Leave a comment

Back to the Future is one of my all time favorite movies. I love it when George McFly sees his beloved Lorraine and says “You’re my density… I mean, my destiny!”

This past year has brought so much change for my family and I. Some of the changes have been hard, and others have been huge blessings to us. Last January, I left both of my part-time jobs to take on a full time position with a non-profit ministry. It was an exciting challenge, and I really needed a change.

But by summertime, there was an emptiness setting in.

In late August, I saw a random Facebook advertisement for auditions for a community chorus. Well, that’s something I always wanted to do, but couldn’t because of juggling kids and work and all that other stuff. But now, it was something that I could make time for! I emailed the contact person, and they soon called me to set up an audition time.

It was so fulfilling to do the audition! I sang a prepared piece, and then sight read a few pages of music they handed me. It was a piece of cake- and I was so proud of myself for doing something that I had been wanting to do for so long. I hadn’t done an audition or sang in a chorus in nearly 25 years! Shortly after the audition, I received an email saying I had been selected to be in the chamber ensemble chorus.

The first night of practice, I fought back tears as I sang. I didn’t realize how much I had missed making music! It was like finding a piece of myself that I had lost.

I often have dreams- and they are mostly about music. Singing, teaching lessons, directing choirs… I have had these dreams for years. But I have struggled with the idea that being a music teacher is not enough. I have struggled through the years to find the thing God has called me to do, and all the while it has been right in front of me.

A few weeks ago, I called the music studio where I used to teach lessons part time. Are you looking for a voice teacher? I asked the owners.

Julie, we never hired anyone after you because we couldn’t find anyone with the right qualifications.

And in that moment, I felt a peace come over me.

Making music is my density…. er, I mean my destiny.

It’s the one common theme of my life- the thing that brings me the greatest joy and connects me to God. And making music connects me to other people. I LOVE making music with others and helping them to find joy in it!

So, with my husband’s blessing, I stepped out in faith and recently quit my full-time job to pursue teaching voice and piano lessons again. I am ready to pour out my skills and encouragement on others through music. I just know that the Lord has people waiting for me.

But more importantly- I’m just following the Lord’s nudges.

And that IS enough.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.- Jeremiah 29:13