In the midst of a crisis…

A few years ago, I attended a network marketing event for Neways in Atlanta, Georgia. It was an international event, with people from all over the world attending. For the opening night, a special program was planned with entertainment provided by each country. A few months before the event, all Canadian distributors got an email, asking for ideas for the Canadian portion of the program.

I remembered a song I’d learned as a Girl Guide in 1967, honoring the Canadian Federation, called “They All Call It Canada but I Call It Home”. I also remembered another song, called “CANADA – We Love Thee”, which I then changed to fit the message of the network marketing company, Neways.

It was fun to do and I sent it off to the Canadian headquarters, not expecting to hear anything more. To my amazement, my suggestions were chosen. (Of course, it may have been that no-one else submitted anything).

Anyway, I started to practice singing the songs; which my voice could handle until I got nervous and my vocal cords tightened up. Then I started squeaking. Just the thought of singing in front of 2000 people was enough to scare me silly, so I asked a couple of friends to help me.

We arrived two days early in Atlanta and I immediately got sick with a serious chest infection. It was so bad that I spent the first day in the Emergency room of the hospital. I had a definite crisis on my hands. I had to go on stage and sing or I would let down my whole country. But what could I do. I was so sick, I could hardly speak – let alone sing. I was definitely in panic mode.

Then I remembered something that John Smart, one of the Neways trainers, had said one time. He said: “When you find yourself in the midst of a crisis, you are either on the edge of disaster or the verge of a miracle!” I decided that I would test his statement. I definitely was in the midst of a crisis and I was really needed and wanted a miracle.

So, I said a very heart-felt prayer, got out of bed, got dressed and went to the program. One benefit of being so sick is that I didn’t have enough energy to be scared while I was waiting back stage for our turn to perform.

When I did go on stage, I told everyone how I was feeling and what John had said. I then asked them to join me in my fervent prayer that I would have the miracle I needed in order to do justice to the great country of Canada, that I called home (which was the title of the first song).

The music started, I opened my mouth and I sang beautifully – all the way through both songs. When it was over, so many people came up and said that they had got more from my performance than any of the others in the program. I was still sick for most of the event but I had been able to do what I needed.

So, the next time you find yourself in the midst of a crisis, realize that you are on the edge of disaster or the verge or a miracle! The choice is yours. If you need help, I can help you!