"Speaking Without a Voice" - Lessons Learned by Wheezy MacHackie

"One thing I have spoken; two things I have heard. That You, O God, are faithful, and You, O Lord, are strong..."

Last night, my family and I watched my favorite film, Amazing Grace, and I was reminded of a quote by John Newton:  

"... I remember two things — that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."

Prior to a weekend full of speech tournament events, I began losing my voice, and I knew deep down that God was going to teach me something very important through the experience. 

I am sick. I’ve been very sick for the past three weeks and I don’t understand why it is getting worse, but most of the symptoms just come and go. So, I kept my speaking to a minimum Friday morning— thought I never expected it to be so difficult, to not talk when I really couldn’t talk—and the first 4 rounds of public forum debate Friday night went rather smoothly. Saturday morning, my voice was almost 100%  gone. I was terrified that I would have to drop out of my other speech events; but, after some discussion with the judges, I went ahead and gave my Thematic Religious Reading speech*, but I had to whisper. Yes, I whispered my speech. It was the only way I could use any voice inflection, for if I attempted to speak normally, it squawked and squeaked like a chicken caught in a mouse trap. 

Now, after getting through that speech, I went on to compete in the Radio Broadcasting event. In Radio Broadcasting, the student is given several news articles and 30 minutes of preparation time before presenting their limited-prep speech to the judges. The catch is: the judges have their backs turned away from the presenter. So I had come to the tourney with a great idea for my radio station, which including numerous character voice impressions and so forth.... but, with my voice being that of Wheezy the Penguin (from Toy Story), I knew I couldn’t try that plan, so after talking with dear sister Becky, I decided to do a new style of Radio Broadcasting entirely. It started off like this:

“Goooood morning, America! This is 87.3 Squawk Talk Radio. I’m your host, Wheezy MacHackie.”

I completed the joke by adding a Squeaky Duck Clean shampoo commercial and a weather update from the Hippi-Dippie weatherman (I'll post up my speeches in more detail soon). Now, remember, I’d been whispering all morning, so the first time I really heard my crazy voice was when I gave my speech in the presentation room; which, by the way, was standing room only. All the other events in that round had already finished, so EVERYONE came in to watch the final speaker for Radio Broadcasting. My first broadcast didn’t go so well, as I had a hard time not laughing at myself, but I really was amazed that somehow, I made it all the way through. 

Everyone at the tournament was so encouraging, and I not only saw Gods’ mercy and love being poured out on me, but I saw it flowing through everyone who spoke to me. The second round, I gave my Thematic Religious Reading (TRR) in full voice, and received great feedback. The next Radio Broadcast was much better, and I had a lot of fun with it, although I was sure I would not get high scores.  Imagine my shock when, at the closing program,  the invitees to the International Convention were called to the front, and I heard my name. For Radio Broadcasting.

 I have definitely not judged the success of this tournament by what I scored high in, but rather by the amazing fact that I was even able to speak at all. Before and after my TRR, I could barely talk; but during that one speech, my voice was clear, resonant, and didn’t squeak one single time. I was able to communicate the message of  "aspiration" to the judge and the three other people in the room; and, if it impacted them even a little, it is because of God's gift to me. To receive the inspiration to use my situation to entertain the radio “audience” was truly a work of God. I don’t exactly know why he did what he did for me, and I don’t know how it all happened. I may not ever understand why He chose to let me speak at certain times. But I am ever so grateful that He saw me through an incredibly trying weekend.

The lessons learned, yesterday especially, are beyond number, and I’m positive that I couldn’t put most of them into words, either. But reflecting back on the words spoken by John Newton, which I quoted at the beginning...

The two main messages I learned. One— God may not heal me when I pray for healing. But if I am willing, He will make me stronger in this sickness, and help me to do things I never thought possible in a situation like mine.

Two—that communication truly is more than words. I learned to make each moment count. When writing notes to inexperienced speakers,  my eyes were opened to realize, once more, that every single thing I wrote mattered. My conversations were limited, and I spent much of these two days feeling very lonely and frustrated with myself. But all the while, God was speaking to my heart. He uses situations, and he uses ordinary (and ill) people to accomplish His will.

I am so thankful to my Father that He had me walk through this, and that I had the assurance that I was never alone.  Though my voice is not much better today, and I am struggling to not become irritated with others and myself,  I have praises in my heart, and I am comforted by the verse that was read to all of us last night:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

I offer you this encouragement: don’t let your situation define your actions. God is great enough to work mightily in your heart at all times and in every place, and the strength He gives will be sufficient for the tasks He gives. Let your words be life-giving. Make every conversation matter. Surrender your body and your tongue to God and let the Holy Spirit speak through your actions and words. Don’t ever take your ability to talk for granted. And in everything, give thanks to Him who has given you your beautiful voice.

“Let us hold fast to our confession of faith, for He that promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

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