U2

A few years ago, I watched a documentary over Bono from U2.

He was being interviewed over his faith and how most of his songs, in some way, are about Christ.  

Out of the whole interview only one phrase stuck out...

"Sometimes you just have to sing the blues"

How appropriate for that time in my life when I was speechless, emotionless, and heartless.  I had been through some major heartache and I had NO idea how to get rid of it.
I had prayed, I had sought,  and I had thrown myself down at the Lords feet.
One thing I had not done, was mourned.

"Mourned? Why would you do that when you have faith?"

Well, because mourning is a natural feeling and because Jesus mourned a few times.
*When Lazarus died, Jesus cried.  "Then Jesus wept."-John 11:35
*Praying in The Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in agony.  "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.  Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."-Luke 22:42 "He prayed more fervently, and he was in agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood."-Luke 22:44
*On the cross while being crucified, not only was Jesus in pain but HE was overwhelmed with the sin of others (yours and mine included).  He was heartbroken.  "...My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"-Matthew 27:46
The only difference is that I could not praise during my storm.  I only questioned.  Why had I let myself get this far away? Why did I allow others to come in and make room? Why didn't I grab my armor of faith and "fashionably" defeat the enemy's schemes to destroy me?
I had sunk that low in my emotions.  To the point of shutting down physically and emotionally.
I did the only thing that could help me mourn...

I grabbed on to John Mayer.

I know, I know, it sounds CRAZY! But, I grew up in the south and blues/jazz/raspy voices have always gotten my attention.
I have appreciated John Mayer over the past few years but it was when I couldn't do anything but listen to his music, to get me through, is when mourning took place.
His lyrics were right on and I cried through most of his songs during that rough patch in my life.  So much so, I would park my car in parking lots and cry out.  It was a good release.

But now, life has changed for the good.  I've reconnected with my Lord and HE has guided me through those rough times.
Only now when I listen to John Mayer, its all respect for his music-mainly his guitar skills.

In November 2012, I had a dream.
I dreamt that a friend of mine (another JM fan) and I got to meet John Mayer at a concert.  I asked my friend to take a picture of me and John so I could put it on my Facebook profile.  She took a ton of pictures but they were all blurry.  I finally took the phone away from her and took a self pic.  Before I could look at the self pic to make sure it was okay, I woke up.  (I hate that!)

In December 2012, I got some news.
After 2 years of not being able to sing because of a knot on his vocal cords, John Mayer was going to do a charity concert in Montana on January 16th, 2013.  There would be a chance to get "meet and greet" tickets as well.  Not only would John Mayer be singing at the charity event but Zac Brown would be there too.  I HAD to do this!
So when tickets opened up to buy online, I was there!
It took 45 minutes to get those tickets but I got them.  I also got front row tickets to the concert.
I CANNOT tell you how excited I was! I was shaking!

With Jeremy being deployed, it would be me and Maddy venturing out to Montana.  We would fly out there, meet John and Zac, and fly back the next day.
I have NEVER done anything spontaneous like this before but we all need to take a chance sometime and I did.

January 16th came and the meet and greet was here.  Maddy and I were second in line to meet him.
When it was our turn to go up, I shook hands with Zac and then John (Johns tall, by the way).  We chatted for a moment and then I asked John my most nervous question, "Can I take a picture of us?" and he said, "sure!".  He leaned in and I snapped a selfie!
And you know what? It went on my Facebook profile!

EVERYTHING happens for a reason! It took getting to the depths of darkness to recommit myself to my Lord and then on to meet John Mayer.  I know God allowed that time of sorrow to eventually fulfill a part of my "bucket list".
Now, when I listen to JM I hear his music and I smile.  I WAS there and now Im here.  And OH MY GOSH, I met JOHN MAYER!!!

Are you feeling despair? Do you feel like singing the blues?
It's okay to.  I never thought it was okay to.  I always thought I had to praise during tough times.
Don't get me wrong I have praised during the hardest times of my life but this time I could not.  And God understood.
Man, am I ever thankful for grace and everlasting love!

BTW-I get to go to my next John Mayer concert in July near Kansas City!

Me and Maddy when we landed in Bozeman, Montana.  If I wasn't a southerner, I'd definitely be a northerner.

"Can I take a picture of us?" "Sure!"-JM

Front row seats at his first concert in 2 years.

John Mayer and Zac Brown-best.night.ever.