Tour Day 15 – Wagoner OK to St. Joseph MO – Homecoming

Of the 43 years I have lived, this has been the hardest year of my life thus far.  In January, the home remodeling store that Emily and I owned went out of business. Longer story than I have time to tell here, but it happened. To say it was hard isn’t really right. It was almost unbearable. I don’t want to get into the drama of it, and this certainly isn’t a post where I’m looking for any kind of sympathy.  What I really want to do is shed light on what this group is, and what it means.

I don’t know where we’d be if the sponsors of this group hadn’t put their arms around me, Emily, and Ethan. One thing that I can definitely say is that it was not a time I have enjoyed. I came on tour this year looking for something to enjoy, and what I found once again was the energy and love of a family.  I remember one time I heard of a person who was against their kid being in New G.  That young singer said, “this group changes people lives and I want to be a part of it!” the person retorted, “change peoples lives? You don’t know what that means.”

They were probably right. That young singer probably didn’t know what that meant, but they were wrong in assuming that lives aren’t changed by these kids. The energy that they brought tonight is evidence of that and I am confident that when people encounter New G for the first time it is a shocking and revitalizing experience. They’re just kids, and they don’t really get it yet (sheesh, who does?), but there is something undeniable about the moment God does something in your heart. That is a language that transcends the ability to communicate, and has no respect of a person’s age or experience.

I don’t know that I can say for sure that people’s lives were irrevocably changed from a life of hatred to a life of love in the last two weeks.  What I can say is that hundreds of people heard a message of permission to enjoy a life with God, and that is something desperately lost from our common discourse in and out of the church. They are just dopey kids, but more than that they are people that God communicates through in a powerful way, and I am a person who was in need of enjoyment, and these kiddos have held my hand on my way to receiving it.

Here we are, back home in Joe town. I don’t have to tell you that this was a powerful performance to close out our road show. It was one where the singers just wouldn’t be denied. If I can say anything to you it is this: Thank you for allowing New G to borrow your kids for a couple of weeks. They are so gifted, and passionate, and full of the joy that I for one desperately needed to find.

Until next year, on behalf of all the sponsors, Thank you for all of your continued support. We love you all.

Joseph