The Sound of Grace

Playing piano in front of people has always been a huge fear of mine.  I have horrible stage fright- always have.  My biggest fear is that my hands will freeze up and I will be the laughing stock of the room.  Yes, I have played many, many wrong notes over the years… but, thankfully,  He has never allowed me to make a complete fool of myself!

I had the honor of playing for a wedding this past weekend.  I opened my piano books and began playing some classical pieces as the attendees began to enter the sanctuary. As I played quietly, my mind wandered to the many hours I spent practicing as a little girl.  All that time I thought was being wasted… and now He uses it for so many awesome things. As I reminisced about my childhood, the sweetest thing happened- several of the young children who were in the wedding came onto the stage and started playing with me.  They ever-so-gently pressed the keys up high and down low on the piano, right in time with me- as my own hands played the classical tunes.  I admit that initially, I was frustrated- I was trying so hard to play the right notes and to not make mistakes- which requires a ton of concentration for me. But once I saw the joy on their little faces, I immediately let my frustrations go.

He reminds me that music is not just about playing right notes!  It’s about the heart.  

I continued to play, accompanied by the young children, and then I transitioned to “Amazing Grace”.  I didn’t have any sheet music for this one- I was simply worshipping… playing whatever He led me to play before the actual ceremony began.

Then the most awesome thing happened- one of the pretty little girls leaned over and whispered in my ear-

“That’s a beautiful one!”

 “Do you know this song?” I asked her.

“No.  But it is a beautiful one,”  she said again with her eyes shining.

Yes it is. There is nothing quiet like the sound of His grace.

There are no words to describe it.

He sings His grace over our lives in the most wonderful ways. Through giggling children,  innocent little fingers tickling the ivory piano keys, and through heart-felt words said by little ones.

His grace abounds!

“Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18

I am grateful for His grace and thankful that I get to serve Him in so many wonderful ways!  And to think of all those hours spent practicing at a piano as a little girl… I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Little moments like these bring me so much joy. I am thankful He sent those little children on the stage to remind me why I do what I do… He has not intended for me to play perfect notes- but to play with joy like a child.  He has blessed me beyond measure. If only I could tell those children how much they blessed me- and how He used them to relieve me of my “fears” of playing!

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.”

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

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