We were sitting in a restaurant last night with some friends when the breaking news popped up on my iPhone. "Whitney Houston dead at 48." My initial reaction was disbelief. Then I began to recount the endless stories in the news about the abuse, the drugs and the saddening spiral she had slowly descended in the last few years. It was just a matter of time, I'd always told myself. But this morning I can't stop thinking about her talent and sheer anointing that held so much more promise and longevity.
Anyone knows that such a gift does not come along everyday. Some long for, even beg for the gift and spend a lifetime pursuing it. Whitney had it and God gave it. Honed and shaped in church while singing in the choir, this girl was destined for greatness and, as it turned out, achieved it for a brief time. I watched "The Preacher's Wife" again just this past Christmas and hung on every note she sang. I have never been moved by any artist like I have been moved by her. And it wasn't just the notes she sang. Many have come behind her since and matched her note for note. No, it was the anointing that was with her since the church choir days that set her apart and made people listen.
Although I would have loved to hear Whitney's later career had she remained clean, I will remember her sweetness and gifted delivery of a song. We all have been given gifts. Some never find their's. Whitney did and we'll be forever grateful.
No comments:
Post a Comment