The story is told about one particular concert the famed pianist Paderewski held. An air of expectancy filled the crowded hall as the audience anxiously awaited the entrance of the great musician.
A nine-year-old boy, impatient with waiting and fascinated by the magnificent Steinway on center stage, slipped away unnoticed from his parents and made his way to the piano.
After observing the beautiful instrument in great detail, and totally oblivious to the packed house, the boy sat down on the piano bench and began to play his rendition of his favorite piece of music-"Chopsticks."
The audience was horrified. Some snickered. Another called out in anger, "Whose kid is that? Get him out of here!" Backstage, Paderewski looked to see what all the commotion was about. Quickly summing up the situation, he quietly slipped alongside the boy and began to play a beautiful counter-harmony around the child's "Chopstick" melody.
"Keep playing," Paderewski whispered to the boy. "Don't stop. Play on. You're doing magnificently. Just don't quit!"
That's exactly what
Jesus does for each of us when we surrender our hearts and lives to him. He sits down beside us no matter what our situation is and whispers, "Don't stop. Keep on keeping on. Don't give up. I'm here beside you to help you, to encourage you, to enrich your life. Just don't quit. Trust me and I will make something beautiful out of your life."Suggested prayer: "Dear
God, please take my "chopstick-life" and make something beautiful out of it. Gratefully in Jesus' name."
Author unknown,
The music is a Pachelbel's Canon in D version by Meko entitled Kanon