Dangerous Prayers

They say to never pray for patience. I've learned from making the mistake of doing it a few times (in all honesty, it wasn't a mistake). A few weeks ago, I needed to get my ego in check. So, before playing worship, I asked God to take me out of the equation and that He may be glorified through my time behind the kit. Dangerous prayer to pray. Very similar to the danger of praying the Lord's Prayer. (Take some time to read through the prayer... really think about what you are saying) So with my dangerous prayer of asking God to humble me came a knee injury harkening back to Jr. High. There was a few knee pops, inability to play what I wanted, then immobility around camp, and the inability to do my job to the level wanted. God decided it wasn't just my ego behind drums needing to be checked, but also my leadership, work and perspective needing some refining as well.

For the first week, I said "I got it" and pushed through. But as pain, immobility and research came, I realized I didn't have it together. There is a great scene in the classic mini-series Band of Brothers where Captain Winters has sent some of his men to lead an attack on a village. The men get pinned down and everything goes chaotic. Winters has been with many of these men since enlisting before the war. Being the type of leader he is, he wants to lead them from the front lines. A commander quickly has to remind him that his place isn't on the front lines anymore, that his leadership is needed behind the scenes. The scene kept replaying in my head as I sat with my knee elevated and iced for days. Unable to leave the office, I was forced to lead the AV team from my desk. If there was something amiss, I couldn't just run out there do what I wanted. The injury forced me to say, "I don't have this" and train the team to get what is needed, and to be ok if they didn't get it and needed more time. The injury also brought to light many other areas. My workaholic tendencies during the summer were slowed with needing rest and healing.

As for drumming, the reminder of the amount of time it took to heal from the last knee injury caused me to weigh the options of never playing again. It hurt and really humbled me. I'm usually humbled by the fact that each time I'm being the kit, God is using a talent He has given me to help lead others in corporate worship. But to honestly consider maybe having to lay down sticks for awhile deeply saddened me. I believe my prayer was answered. I was taken out of the equation.

The healing is almost done. I'm finally out of any aid that is needed for bracing my knee. There is still some work needed, both physical and spiritual. But now that I'm up and at it all again, I have a new perspective on my role in ministry and my role when it comes to music. I'm thankful for how God answers prayers. Even when they don't go the way we want, God is continually making us more like His Son by how He answers and what tests He puts in our lives.

The HMUpdate 022

Greetings,

Summer camp has started at Victory! It's a busy time, but before camp got kicked off, I was able to sit down and get a letter out. The build up to camp was extremely busy with meetings, campouts, planning and side ministry work. But with a light first week, it gave me enough time to proof an mail out the physical update. Now with summer staff out for a hike/town, and me stuck back home with my knee getting iced, I have some time to get this digital copy out to you.

God has already shown us the fruit of our labor, and has also thrown some tests at us already to strengthen our faith. This letter hits on the build up to camp as well as what we are to expect. Sadly, a lot has changed since writing it. Nothing is normal or predictable when it comes to summer camps. Right after sending out this letter in the mail, I was "blessed" with a knee injury that hinders my work, but forces me to become a better communicator and leader. It sadly also inhibits my ability to play drums. God's way of saying slow down, as well as take me out of the equation on some areas. I'll get into more on the blog.

For now, dig in, and enjoy! You are a part of what God is doing here in Alaska. Thank you for your prayers and support. Young lives are being impacted, and God's love is being shared to hundreds this summer!

Feel free to read online or download the latest HM Update.

Thanks for supporting the work Victory is doing.

Grace & Peace,
Daryl J. Howard