Many of you may not know this about me. I started playing the alto saxophone when I was in 4th grade. My father played that same instrument when he was young. My parents brought that same instrument to be repaired and after pads were changed and that saxophone had "an extreme makeover", I had myself an instrument. I played the saxophone from 4th grade all the way until I was about 23 years old when I played in our church orchestra. You are talking about 14 years. I loved playing in the school band, playing in a Stage Band in Jr. High and eventually in High School I played in the marching band. That was hard! In Jr. High school our school recorded a record album my mom still has. I have very fond memories of playing in the school band, especially after our concerts. I have to say playing in the band was my greatest highlight in high school. I know my parents loved going to my concerts and I always loved it whenever I walked up to them after each concert. They were smiling and always told me, "Great job!' I also know they put up with a lot in my early years when I played in the elementary band. We were terrible but being a kid I was so proud of our band but was totally clueless how awful we sounded. It was not beautiful music, but noise...a lot of noise!
Each year I was in our school band, I learned what it meant to make beautiful music. I had many great band teachers who put a lot of time and effort into each concert. We normally had two concerts a year. We practiced every day, and our band teachers would always go over every song making sure the trumpets were not too loud, the percussion section were in rhythm, and we were all listening to each other. He or she wanted to be sure we were ready to perform. I have to say that from when I started in 4th grade to my last concert in 12th grade, we certainly improved. Actually, I certainly hope so! The reason? We practiced and we worked hard, and we had a lot of guidance and teaching which is important!
This makes me think a lot about what we go through in life. We start out with no experience and everything around us is all just noise and commotion. Just like little children who have no boundaries. Although we believe our lives have structure they actually don't. We wander aimlessly. No direction. No purpose. It's just like a band with no leader. No one is conducting. No one is leading. Then as we mature, we put our life in the hands of the one and only band leader, Jesus who, just like my band teacher is making sure everything is in its proper order. It is only with Jesus can beautiful music be made in our lives! I have realized in my 61 years living on this planet that if we don't allow Jesus to have control, life without him is one big failure.
I thoroughly enjoy listening to music. I believe music is a gift from God. My biggest regret in life is that I didn't continue taking piano lessons. I did when I was a kid growing up in New Jersey. A lady who lived directly behind us gave piano lessons. We moved so instead of the piano, I learned how to play the saxophone. I wish I would have continued even later in life. I did take guitar lessons a few years ago, and I do hope very soon to play it for my church kids. Someone gave me a guitar and I think it's a fun instrument to play. I grew up in a household that always had music playing and I do have an ear for it. I can tell you when people sing off key! On the other side, I also know who my leader is, and I do realize he is the only one who can make beautiful music in my life and in your life. His name is Jesus. There is no second guessing that! Let him be the band teacher in your life. You will make beautiful music together. I never said it would be perfect, but life will be beautiful no matter what you face.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK EVERYONE!!
No comments:
Post a Comment