My boss Kim had it all. Sharp mind, good looks, beautiful home, upward career mobility. I was along for the ride and learning a lot from her. Being a faithful employee gave me opportunity to be a witness and she shared quite a bit with me. Behind the intelligent and got-it-together front was someone with a painful past reaching for love and acceptance like so many others around us. Nothing she had seemed to give her peace.
Kim left on a motorcycle trip over a beautiful summer weekend and, at only 46 years old, never came back. After the funeral service, the pastor saw me paying respects. He felt God prompt him to share that over the last few weeks Kim had returned to church and he felt from what they had talked about Kim was in Heaven looking down. I explained to him who I was and why that meant so much to me. We had a spontaneous moment of praise, amazed at God's ability to make even a funeral turn into a celebration.
Over the days after the accident, my eyes were opened to how frightened people who don't know Jesus are about what happens when this life is over. We don't mourn like those who have no hope because of His sacrifice. We know, though things in this life can be very hard at times, there will be an end to the pain. We will walk on streets of gold, it's the promise we have. All of those thoughts and emotions became "Everything to Me".
Since then I've had many experiences with coworkers, friends, and neighbors that go something like this: Last night one of the moms on my son's hockey team came to me crying after hearing the song. She's always friendly and quick with a smile. Who would guess that she lost a brother and her mom in the last couple months, was estranged from some of her family, and her husband has serious health problems? She told me she cried because she hadn't thought about Heaven in a while, and she needed something to find solace and hope in.
It's amazing what the people around us are carrying under the surface. I know there are more people out there who need encouragement today. I pray this little song, like participating in communion, might remind you that no matter what path life takes you down, the path leads to Heaven's gate -- and it would be great if you showed up there with lots of friends.
Blessings, Brian Waechter
INDEPENDENT MUSIC REVIEW SAYS "WHILE I WAIT" IS PROMISING FOR RADIO!!! - December 3
By Denise Squier, reviewer for INDIE-MUSIC
Because of my own personal faith, I was excited to actually have a fellow Christian artist to review, and Pam Shuler’s While I Wait is good Christian radio fare. Shuler’s vocals throughout the CD are pleasant and exactly what Christian radio is looking for. Toni Groshek’s backup vocals are a nice compliment to Shuler’s vocals, the piano is great throughout, and the arrangements by Mike Barden are nicely written.
“Holy” has a nice groove and strong vocals, including the backup vocals. It's a good representation of the style of Contemporary Christian that Shuler prefers to perform — a contemporary pop, which allots for many gigs in churches, both traditional and contemporary.
“Great is Thy Faithfulness” is a great arrangement of a traditional hymn..............“Someone to Watch Over Me” is a pleasant rendition of the Gershwin classic from the musical Oh, Kay! The piano and vocals are lovely, and THANK YOU for keeping it simple in the arrangement with only vocals and piano.
“While I Wait” is my personal favorite on the CD. The piano is, once again, tasteful. This is a great original piano/acoustic guitar ballad, and a nice change from the other more “pop” songs.
