I call out as I head downstairs to the kitchen of our old two story family farmhouse. "Momma. Daddy." Both of my parents are sitting there on the couch, just inside the living room.

They look up, and Momma grins. "Hey, sweetie. What's up?"

"Does Talent Academy... Well... does that name mean anything to either of you?" I take a seat on the edge of our black ottoman.

Daddy glances at Momma and she nods for him to speak. "Your talent can't be wasted, Carrie girl. We just want you to try it for a little while."

"I don't want to leave you guys." Tears surprise me as they slip down my face.

"We are only a call away." Daddy grasps my hand in his big strong hand. "Call and we will tear away quicker than you can say 'lickety split'."

I grin. "Thanks, Daddy. So when am I supposed to be there?"

Momma pulls her jet black hair (just like mine) over one shoulder, showing her slight nervousness. "Class starts next week."

"Wow. This is sudden." I say and then silence fills the air for several minutes. "Have you prayed about this?" Both of my parents answer that they have, and I already know I have been ever since I opened the email.

"This could be so good for you on many levels." Daddy speaks up. "Music for one. You get to have some of the best in the business, be your teachers. And then you get a fresh new start."

He doesn't finish that thought but we all know. The last year and a half I've been bullied terribly. It's been even worse lately. Anything the bullies can find whether it's my music or my devotion to God or the way I look. I'm their target.

Momma breaks the silence. "Honey, we aren't saying the answer to every problem is to run from it. But sometimes it is. Remember Joseph's situation when he had to run away from the wife of his boss and she tried to cause such a stink over it. In some instances God wants us to run."

We talk about the subject for about thirty more minutes then I go upstairs to my room for some private prayer time. As I do I see a painting I done a while back, using a favorite quote of mine that kept  recurring like a smack to the face to wake up and do something.

"Your talent is God's gift to you....
What you do with it is your gift back to God."

It takes the breath out of me as I see it know. I feel like God's making it pretty clear. I'm not running away. I'm running to what He wants. At least for this time and this season. I know what I'm going to do.