The Piano Duet--A Metaphor

I don't normally reprint things like this; however, this one touched me on a great many levels. Samuel recently had his first piano recital at which he played "Twinkle, Twinkle little Star." At his first dance recital, we witnessed a little girl who in the midst of all the dancing succumbed to stage fright and was utterly unable to move on the stage. (Whereas Samuel himself started off in what I consider to be one of the most terrifying situations possible for the very young. He started the routine for his group utterly alone onstage for about twenty seconds. And he had to end it by telling the little girls in the back row what to do. (Everyone was EXTREMELY amused.) So I also hope this touches you all.

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took the boy to a Paderewski concert. 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 maestro 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 maestro played. 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 always gracefully flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

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. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped; rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

So touch someone, and pass this little message along. May God bless You and be with you always. ...and may each of you who reads this story more clearly see the "hand of Master" weaving each of His chosen hues into the tapestry of your lives.