This morning I carried my violin, music stand and books with me as I went to church to do final touch ups on the tree for the awesome play our pastor was blessed to write. If there was no one around the church.....which normally at 9 am there is....I would practice.

What laughter sprang from within as the parking lot was empty! Quickly I hurried in, set up, tuned my violin and rosined the bow. Soon I had the books open and was pulling the bow across the strings. But several times I stopped and retuned my violin.

For a brief moment one of the songs I had been practicing had sounded like I had been practicing for a lot longer. Oh the joys of perserverance and the blessings of God!!! So I moved on to another song...which is one of my classical favorites!

Yet for some reason, I kept stumbling. Perhaps it was because I was tired....maybe it was because it was set at a faster tempo....still I stumbled along. There was one point I arrived in the song...toward the end...to where I said out loud "Lord, I just can't do this anymore!"

Without missing a beat I heard Him reassuring me that I will make it through to the end, that I needed to just keep playing. And He was right. There was a time when I knew nothing about the violin...but with lessons and practicing...PRAISE GOD! I will make it to the end of many more songs!

In the same way God leads me to new areas in my life that He wants me to work on. There are times I am embarrassed because what He gives me is new...or perhaps I know the song, but I've forgotten the notes...and anyway...what will others think? Still, I hear Him calling me to "Play".

People are watching....maybe one day they will join me....or maybe they will just watch and listen. But still they are waiting to see what note will be played next....how it will be played...if it will be played at all.

God has given me music to play...a song that lasts a lifetime. As I practice this song, preparing to play for my King in Heaven one day....I will stumble and make mistakes. I have told my Creator many years ago that I can't do it anymore. But my Savior is always there! He lifted me back up and set me on firm ground. He has given me rest. In Him I find my Strength.....He shall play His Song through me....His instrument.