How a Divine Duet Gave Her the Confidence She Needed

She was battling depression and found no joy in music anymore. Could she perform for her church’s Sunday service?

The inside of a piano; Photo credit: NIAN LIU/GETTY IMAGES

“Can you perform a hymn for us next week?” my pastor asked me after Sunday service.

“Of course!” I said. The idea, though, made me anxious. I hadn’t performed at church in a long while.

Music had always brought me peace and made me feel closer to God. Until six months ago. After a switch in thyroid medications, I could no longer find joy in anything. The shift in my meds sent me spiraling into a deep depression. I lost my energy and appetite. Cried often. My piano sat untouched. I tried to go through the motions for my 12-year old, but when he asked me why I didn’t want to play with him anymore, I vowed to make a change.

My doctor took me off the medication, and I put myself on a strict regimen. I exercised, changed my diet. Gradually the world brightened. I started laughing again and spending more quality time with my son. Soon I returned to playing piano and singing at home. This “debut” church performance seemed to be the next stepping-stone in my recovery. Still, I was nervous. I chose a simple hymn I knew and practiced it all week. I prayed for strength and asked friends to send their prayers too.

By the next Sunday, I felt as ready as I’d ever be. At church, I walked up to the stage on cue. I sat at the piano and lifted my hands to the keys.

Suddenly I was paralyzed with doubt. Who was I kidding? There was no way I could do this.

A hand on my shoulder, warm and comforting, cut through my worries. One of my prayer partners or the pastor must have seen my distress and come to comfort me. I turned to thank them. No one was there, yet the steady weight of an invisible hand remained, giving me confidence.

I took a deep breath and began to play, my voice growing stronger with each verse. As the last notes faded, I felt radiant, renewed. Applause followed me back to my seat—though I didn’t deserve all the credit. My performance hadn’t been a solo but a duet.

Share this story

Witnessing Heaven Series

True Stories of Transformation from Near-Death Experiences

Join the extraordinary Witnessing Heaven series and take an unforgettable journey through the stories of real people, just like you, who took a miraculous journey to heaven and back. Some of the books in the series are:

  • Book 1: Heavenly Encounters
  • Book 2: Messages from Heaven
  • Book 3: Transformed by Heaven
  • Book 4: A Love Beyond Words
  • Book 5: A Choir of Angels
  • Book 6: Scenes from Heaven
  • Book 7: A Joy Like No Other
  • Book 8: A Glorious Light
  • Book 9: In The Presence of Love
  • Book 10: Wonders of Heaven

You can join the series and save $2 per book, or you can purchase each book individually.

Read More and Order
Faith Over Fear Right Rail Ad 300x600

Community Newsletter

Get More Inspiration Delivered to Your Inbox

Scroll to Top