Growing Along the Way

By Scott Coner

Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer and Author

     I have spent more than my share of time complaining. I have found reasons to blame others for my own shortcomings. I have pointed towards anything or anyone but me far too many times when I alone, was the culprit. Somewhere along the way, thank God, I have been able to find clarity. I have been able to humble myself long enough to accept the fact that I may have been my biggest enemy. It would be easy to blame my shortcomings on my sinful nature, but that again would be taking the blame game of original sin all the way back to Eden and not truly accepting what is deservedly mine.

     I have always felt protected by God. I have always felt in my heart that He had some type of plan for me. I’m not trying to say that I am “special” in any way. I suppose I have just truly believed in His love and protection. I know with every cell in my body that God loves and protects us all. I believe He has plans for us if we are willing to allow ourselves to be molded into what is needed.

     So it seems as though my dream of playing music is finally beginning to qualify itself as something more than just a dream. I am engaged at every level these days preparing for this new role in my life. As I have said several times before, I have allowed myself to drift away from the original dream of actually touring and meeting people and assumed that I would always be a songwriter that works behind the scenes most of the time. The change in direction has caught me off guard, and I can only say that there is just no way I could be happier. I truly look forward to what is around the corner. I want to meet people that have supported me, and my music. There have been many times when I wondered how I could go one more step, and then almost magically some kind and thoughtful person would send me a private message. I remember a lady telling me that one of my songs had helped her through the loss of her spouse. That message meant more to me than I could ever put into words. It gave me the energy to keep pushing on and not give up.

     I know now that the good Lord was there beside me all along. He gently nudged me down the path that I needed to travel in order to grow both emotionally as well as spiritually. Through the years there have been so many false starts with my music career. The cold, hard fact is, He wouldn’t allow things to truly begin until I was ready. It has been hard to live with all of this time, but I am so glad things have happened the way they did. I feel good these days. I am probably healthier than I have ever been in my life. I find myself thanking the Lord for nearly everything. I have a perfect marriage, healthy children, a beautiful home, and my parents are healthy. I think God’s timing was just different than my own, and I am absolutely fine with the outcome.

     I tell you all of this very personal information because I am willing to use myself as an example. I have made nearly every mistake imaginable, and one would think that my future would be over. But that isn’t how things always go. If you feel or have ever felt that your options were in the past, I would ask you to re-consider. These days, the way I see it is, those of us that have weathered the storms may be better served to help others along the way. We have felt the hurt and disappointment that life often brings. If we all had a perfect record, how could we listen to and help others? How could I write a song? You and I have become journeymen in this career called life. We have felt the pain that is necessary in order to understand others. We have made catastrophic mistakes, so maybe it will be easier for us not to judge others.

     What’s that? Oh, you haven’t made catastrophic mistakes? That’s ok; that’s probably just me. I have always been slow in the developmental department. Just know that you have insight like no others, and you are truly valuable. Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t lose your faith. And always remember that no matter how much water is under the bridge, it’s never too late to change your position in life. Allow yourself to, “Be who you are rather than what you have allowed yourself to become.”  

We all need each other. Don’t ever forget that.