Thought from church

Today was a very insightful day at church. This last week has been a hard one, with lots of tears. I really needed an uplifting day at church. The following story was shared with us during Sunday School about a young piano student:

His mother, wishing to encourage him, bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist, Paderewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away.

Suddenly, it was time for the performance to begin and a single spotlight cut through the darkness of the concert hall to illuminate the grand piano on stage. Only then did the audience notice the little boy on the bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

His mother gasped, but before she could move, Paderweski appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, "Don't quit, keep playing." And then, leaning over, the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.

In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, time and time again, "Don't quit. Keep playing." And as we do, He augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created. He is right there with all of us, telling us over and over, "Keep playing." James E. Faust

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times that I have felt inadequate at being Hallie's mom. Her challenges are many and there are many times that I have felt like I just couldn't do it. I would love for someone else to carry the burden of caring for her, or of making the many difficult decisions that have to be made for her.

I needed this reminder today that regardless of what challenges I am called to face, I can do it because I won't be doing it by myself. The Lord will have His arms around me, helping me, making my effort more than enough. And for that I am very grateful..