It was but a year ago last Saturday at a small campground in southern Pennsylvania where a small musical group set up their instruments in a small lodge to play a small worship concert for a small audience of teenagers and adults – most of whom had never heard of them – for the first time. On Saturday May 24, 2008, Stereoreel was born. Like all births, there was nothing graceful or easy, and there were many moments of utter and absolute pain. But we were.
In the year since that first day we have grown considerably. If we continue to use the baby metaphor then I would be inclined to say that over a year, we have developed into a rather cute baby whose life shows an awful lot of potential. However, I’ve not even written a real paragraph, and I’m already tired of the baby metaphor. I would be more likely to say that we don’t suck now like we sucked then! After that night we played another show on Sunday night for a REALLY small audience at Five Forks, and we improved a lot! It just goes to show how fast we learn. Since then, we’ve played many more gigs, we’ve released an E.P., we’ve traveled, we’ve met good friends, and we’re always looking for ways to improve.
However, it would be incalculable folly to suppose for an instant that we’ve done this all on our own. Truly, God has guided us through tough situations and aided us in similar decisions. He has opened up opportunities for us that we never thought possible. He has also given us the love and support from our irreplaceable families to help us and to rejoice with us in the times that we need it. It is an honor to be living our lives to worship Jesus Christ, but not merely because of the mild successes he has allowed us to experience, but because of the salvation that we have through him.
So, celebrate with us through our birthday and join us in celebrating and worshipping the Living God!
