Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A GOOD STORY

We got this story on a Christmas card from some friends and I love the story and analogy:


Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a piano concert given by the great Polish pianist Paderewski . After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE". When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.

Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played that night--only the classic "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy, We try our best, but the results aren't often graceful, flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

2 comments:

Melissa said...

I love that.

MamaChef (JM) said...

I have had to try hard this year to appreciate the snow. So far so good, but I realize it is only January! These days we have had in the 30s have been so nice! I have been out and about and that really helps. We have been on some walks and out sledding and it does help to embrace it a little more. Here are some other things I have done:

--RUN THE HEATER MORE! I know it costs more, but I have found that if I feel cold all I want to do is get back in bed with the covers over my head. Not so great. Keeping the house warmer this year has helped.
--GET A HEATED MATTRESS PAD. Dual controlled. I turn it on an hour before bed and hop it to a nice toasty bed. It is the best!
--Try lots of new recipes! I don't often get to do that as much other times of the year. Nothing it better in the winter than yummy experiments!
--Bundle up and GO OUTSIDE. This is hard for me, but I have found that if you are dressed properly it really isn't so bad, and that Vitamin D does a world of good!