Late last summer, Eric Wall asked my husband, Dave, and me if we would be part of playing on a recording of “We Praise Your Name,” a brand new song he had written for this year’s Easter season. Dave was all in, but I was hesitant as I was still healing from a shattered wrist and had not played my flute in eight months. I had never played on any kind of professional studio recording, so instant doubts flooded my mind.
Being placed into the mix with these two was quite intimidating. Eric has a music degree and has a knack to play just about any instrument placed in front of him. Dave is a classically trained pianist who studied at OCU at a very young age and whose professor had him on the short track to Julliard. They also both possess the ability to “play by ear,” meaning they don’t need to read from music while playing. It just falls out. I’m just a normal gal with no music degree who cannot play by ear and can think of a hundred reasons why I’m not supposed to be in the same room with them. How did I get here anyway?
I blame Norman Behymer.
From the first time I walked into the Worship Center and saw the set up for an orchestra, I was smitten. Norman made sure I had my own chair and stand that next Sunday. And the last 42 years are history. There have been many times I have found myself doing things that stretched my comfort zone because of him, and now here I was in another uncomfortable situation. Dave remembers walking into CRBC in 1977 as an 8th grade kid, introducing himself to Norman and saying he felt led to start the first band. Norman said, “Let’s go!” And no one has ever looked back! In his 50 years of service at Council Road, Norman has been intentional about creating room for everyone to serve, sometimes whether you want to or not!
When Eric arrived on staff and got to know Dave, I think he made it a personal goal to see just how far he could push the old-timer’s skills. Mainly because Dave thinks he needs months of preparation to play for a Sunday service or recording session, and Eric knows good and well he doesn’t. For instance, during the music for the invitation on Sundays, Eric likes to just call out song titles and key signatures over the in-the-ear monitors just to see if Dave will follow along. Challenge accepted, young Skywalker, and they both play away! Or, to adapt a Steven Curtis Chapman hit, “Saddle up your horses, Dave, we’ve got a service to play!”
Sometimes it’s quite comical to see what ideas Eric comes up with to challenge Dave. When we arrived for the recording session, the first thing Eric announced was that Dave was going to lay down the Moog bass line. Dave was only prepared to lay down the piano track. My eyebrows rose a mile as I sat down, grabbed the popcorn, and proceeded to watch the show, as Eric was smiling out of the corner of his mouth. Dave laid down a killer base line.
Now it was my turn. To help me feel at ease during the recording, Eric had scratched out a quick flute part that afternoon. He escorted me to the sound-proof room complete with over-sized headphones, which I put on, then I stood there nervously and awkwardly awaiting further direction. He was so sweet as he walked me through every note I needed to play. Since my embouchure was out of shape, I “hooted” several notes (the bane of every flute player), and he assured me he would record over them.
After what seemed like a hundred “takes,” we were finished. And let me tell you, there is nothing like a good strong reverb to make a flute player sound good! I showed up prepared to the best of my ability, and God blessed my effort. I left happy and with a newfound confidence, thanks to Eric. He included me, pushed me way beyond my comfort zone, but I lived to tell about it. Much the same way Norman has provided opportunities for me. Scripture is clear about using our gifts to bring glory to God:
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11, NIV
We are blessed to have both Norman and Eric on our staff. Norman knows Scripture better than anyone, is a mastermind planner, and has the energy to corral large groups of volunteers with a very wide range of abilities. Eric is very mature in how he includes people of all ages, knows Scripture forward and backward (thanks Chris and Robin), loves to learn under Norman, and is very creative and talented. He also has the mind and heart of a servant. Right after I broke my wrist, he called wanting to bring gourmet coffee drinks to Dave and me. I gave him my order, but Dave said he was still working on his 64 ounces of daily water intake (puleeeeze). Eric showed up with one coffee and three, 20-ounce cups of water! It was hilarious! His beautiful wife, Chloe, is his perfect partner, and she can bring the congregation to their feet when she sings.
Dave and I are so incredibly grateful to be at a church where all people are given the chance to serve. No matter our age, level of talent, or how we look, we all have an opportunity to be part of the body of Christ.
Meet the Author!
Sarah has worked at Council Road in a variety of ministries since 1984. She currently serves as the senior pastor’s assistant and staff editor. She has played flute in the CRBC orchestra since 1983 and met her husband, Dave, while serving in the music ministry together. She enjoys traveling to wherever Dave is photographing a beautiful landscape.