While writing today I wanted to hear Stings’ “Fields Of Gold.” After his version was over, another version popped up. I clicked on it and discovered a gifted artist singing her version. Her voice touched my heart in a compartment long forgotten. As I worked on my project, I toggled back and forth to YouTube, where I listened to song after song from her, each seemingly more heartfelt than the one before. As I listened to her amazing voice, I was struck by how gifted she was, yet I’d never heard of her. There she was, her words and melodies chanting the hauntingly familiar refrain of a long lost friend.
Of her, ABC News said, “The world did not discover her talent, nor hear her voice. There was a quality in her voice that would make you cry.” She shunned the spotlight, was shy, and never sought fortune or fame. She just wanted to share her gift.
As I clicked the fourth or fifth YouTube clip of her, I saw a scroll of words, and I knew there was more to this story, and to the reason her voice drew me like a moth to a flame. The scroll told the story of her life and death. She succumbed to cancer in 1996 at the age of 33.
Gifts are amazing, because they verify their own authenticity without necessity of a second opinion. Hers is a gift I won’t soon forget. As I listened, I became challenged at the necessity to be a responsible steward over those gifts God has given me. I’ve often said to my wife “Honey, I don’t want to take my gift to the grave.”
Mama said, “Life at it’s longest is too short, Son.” Before you know it, minute’s hours and day’s months have become year’s decades. If we’re not careful, the dust of procrastination will cover the diamonds of our brilliant gifts, and before long, opportunity will have given way to inactivity and regret.
We all have at least one gift. Let's all blow the dust off and share them with the world.
And to you, Eva Cassidy, I say a posthumous thank you. Though I missed hearing you in person on earth, I hope you'll sing for us in Heaven.
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