Mela Kamin – What I Say in between Songs

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They knew I’d be a writer.
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My parents tell everyone I was always writing, performing and telling stories. Writing has been my joy, my job, my strength, my comfort. Besides writing, I love sewing, arts and crafts and photography (and I’m married to a professional, which means I get to use expensive equipment and have him help me fix my photos after I use the big guns without the necessary skills).
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I’m also really competitive and driven. I was a jock growing up, following in the footsteps of my one older brother. I used that drive and skill to get a journalism degree in 3 1/2 years – and was chosen as my graduating class’ commencement speaker. I spoke about being an agent of change. Then, I sort of settled into business as usual … a career in public relations as a writer/editor/spokesperson, marriage and three kids. I worked in Milwaukee, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. We settled in the Twin Cities and love it here – close enough to family and big city lights, with small-town charm of the Midwestern burbs.
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I felt truly blessed to be able to stay home with my children eleven years ago – and quickly took on the role of activity planner, volunteer, Sunday School teacher and more. Somewhere in there, though, I lost a little of what made me sparkle. Well, I didn’t really lose it – just forgot about it or didn’t quite know how to incorporate it back into my busy life.
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I searched in many places for an activity I could do that would not only use my talents, but move me. It’s necessary for all of us to do something that fills us to overflowing with joy. Over the years, in bits and pieces, God started revealing parts of the picture. It wasn’t easy trying to figure out what the pieces meant. In 2008, the pieces finally came into focus and revealed me singing and writing songs. Who knew?! Well, God did – but it still amazes me that I didn’t “get it” until I was in my thirties.
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What’s really cool is that I always had these gifts. God created me with them. It just took me a while to realize it, accept my gifts in this area and say, “OK, Lord, I’m ready.” God took it from there and has moved mountains, opened doors and filled me with God-sized faith to go after this dream.

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As with most singer/songwriters, my music is a very personal reflection of my emotions, my relationships and how I look at life and my walk with God. I find inspiration in God’s word – there’s so much there to draw from. Unlike a lot of Christian artists, I didn’t grow up going to church, or singing in choirs. Talk about being out of your comfort zone! At one time, I thought that was a hindrance, but it really fuels my passion and tells an awesome story of an amazing God and His plans for us. I wouldn’t trade the journey, because He was shaping me for such a time as this.
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God chose me for this mission. At first, I didn’t think I could do it and my fear and doubts stepped in the way many times.
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But, with prayer and a faith only God could provide, I’m getting out of the boat and using what He gave me.
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I keep my eyes on Jesus and I will not sink.