While Christine’s mother saw the move as an opportunity to “get out of the city” and start fresh, the new language and culture led to “a tornado of emotions” for the seven-year-old. And when her mother eventually re-married, Christine also had a problem with the “new man” in her life. Not feeling entirely welcome in her new step family left her with a serious case of “orphan syndrome,” and Christine desperately longed for an escape. And that’s precisely where music came in.
It was her bliss in the midst of the chaos, and Christine gave herself completely to it. Finding kindred spirits in Crystal Lewis and Jaci Velasquez, artists who were both bilingual like she was, Christine loved singing along with anything that came in a performance track and entered numerous singing contests. Basically whenever she couldn’t cope with what life threw at her, she found an oasis in song. Unfortunately, not even music could keep her from trouble once she entered her teen years. In the midst of obeying her call to ministry, she was living a double life while experiencing college. Longing for love and acceptance, she found that in the arms of the wrong guy. When that long relationship eventually soured, all the loss Christine felt came back with a vengeance, and before long, she’d all but given up on a relationship with God. Loose living, a preference for darker, depressing music, even a couple of attempts at taking her own life became the new normal. Sadly, her portrait of what a father looked like was distorted because she felt like anyone who was ever close to her ended up leaving. “I was very mad at God,” Christine shares. “I even started using His word against Him. In Scripture it talks about the behaviors that grieve the Holy Spirit, so that’s exactly what I did. I was the biggest jerk ever, hanging out with the atheists, weed smokers and slackers.
Of course, God hadn’t forgotten about Christine and met her in the darkest moment of despair- the night she’d basically given Him an ultimatum. “I was being a real snot about it and basically I said that ‘if you don’t do anything with me before midnight, I will understand that you don’t love me, don’t exist, and I’ll just go on with my life, go to hell, whatever, I didn’t care.’” Seemingly out of nowhere, a woman she didn’t even know ended up speaking words of life and encouragement to Christine, a sure sign that God had, indeed, heard her and continued to pursue her regardless of her emotional state. That night forever changed the trajectory of her ministry, and more importantly, her relationship with God.Ĭonveying that she had two choices-live wholeheartedly in His presence and be used by Him mightily to share His message with the world or pursue wealth and fame in the secular arena but without His presence-Christine knew exactly what she wanted. And as she continued to work through her past, more tragedy was brought to light including abuse by several family acquaintances who were trusted as sitters. But as she let more and more of God in her life, healing and restoration began. I am now more than just a new fan of Christine D’Clario, I am a sister.“It took 18 years for me to let go, forgive and receive restoration,” Christine says. Her voice is just stunning You’ve got to hear her music! But on this episode of YDB, I am blessed to share with you a conversation with this amazing woman of God that is equally stunning. She is overflowing with the wisdom and love of Jesus and I know you will be so encouraged by her story. She has an incredible story of God’s amazing grace in her life that began with childhood trauma but turned into surrender, blessing, and abundance. Well, my time to know about her is right now and I am grateful.
To quote a friend of mine, “Christine is an icon in Spanish American Christian music.”Īnd I had not heard of her until the day we met for this conversation! How is that possible? Am I so embedded in my own culture? It’s humbling to think that even in my multi-cultural church with my many friends from all over the world, I was not yet aware of the treasure that is Christine D’Clario! Her music is all about Jesus, trusting in Him, adoring Him, and holding onto Him amid the storms of life. She is Christine D’Clario. She is one of the most influential worship leaders and singers in Hispanoamérica.
0 kommentar(er)
