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MackDiva, Your Gift is Calling...

If confession is good for the soul, I'm in a really good place right now since I'm putting all my business in the street. Last time we were together, I told you about my Sex and the City situation. Now I'm going to share another secret with you.

I love music. In Jr. High, I was in the band. High school found me in the choir. I was a voice major in college, and I sang with a few church choirs and groups before my career started taking up too much time. Working nights in New York City meant that I couldn't be as committed to the church choir as I wanted to be. So I resigned myself to singing my heart out in the privacy of booths at my second radio job, and belting out a few tunes for my most trusted friends.

For me, music has always been a personal expression -- one that I don't share with the masses -- much like my writing. Since my voice has more of a jazzy appeal than the gospel acrobatics that most people find fascinating in singers, I've always felt like my gift was inferior. I'd never admit this in mixed company, but the perfectionist in me hasn't allowed me to subject myself to possibly being second best until now.

The parents of one of my new friends in California put on a play every year called Uncle Fletcher's Money. It's the story of how Fletcher Martin's money will be divided between his surviving relatives -- two nieces and a nephew -- and two family friends after he dies. One niece wants the money all to herself, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goal.

Since it's a gospel play, there's some singing involved. When they first approached me about doing it, I was more than a little hesitant. The acting didn't scare me as much as the singing did. I haven't exercised my vocal instrument in about ten years. I read for them, and it was decided that I'd take a non-singing role. I was cool with that because I didn't really want to embarrass myself. However, that all changed when one of the ladies wasn't able to do it for prior obligations. That's when I stepped up and decided to expose myself to the world.

Now I've just got to get over myself and do the doggone thing. Fortunately, I've got about two months to get it together. Please pray for me, and I'll let you know how it goes.

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