1 Peter 1:6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
In the book titled When Life Hurts, Rabbi Wayne Dosick shares a story about the world renowned violinist, Itzhak Perlman. Childhood polio had left the violinist crippled. He used two crutches and had braces on both knees which enabled him to walk. One evening he was scheduled to play a violin concerto in a famous concert hall. His walk to the stage was slow and difficult, but once he removed the braces and set down his crutches and picked up his instrument, his talent removed any physical barriers he faced. As he played this beautiful music, one of the strings on his violin broke. The orchestra quit playing and the crowd grew silent, waiting to see what he would do next. He stopped for a moment and then signaled the orchestra to continue to play. He re-composed his concerto right there on the spot with only three strings. When he finished playing, the audience stood and cheered. In a quiet voice he addressed the audience. He said, "You know, sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."
What hope can find in this story? We have lost so much. One of the strings that held our lives together has been severed. We feel confused. Our plans for our lives have been altered. How do we continue? Do we leave the stage of life and retreat never to play again? We are moms, who are trying to pick up our broken lives and find a way to make a beautiful concerto out of the chaos of a broken heart. We are trying to continue on with what we have left.
The violinist depended on his music ability and all of his training. He had hope that he would find a way to continue. He not only succeeded, but the audience was even more amazed by his performance with a three string violin. We serve the God who promises our trials will strengthen our faith which will be more valuable than gold. We need to hold on to that. We need to hope for what we have not seen, a wonderful finish with a standing ovation. Some of us have continued playing on the stage of life. It is hard and often times not played perfectly, but we have not given up. We know there is a beautiful concerto still waiting to be played. If you have walked off the stage of life please come and join our orchestra. We will continue to play as you re-compose your life. The Lord is waiting to help pick you up and help you play your own beautiful concerto.
Lord, we thank you for the stories of others who have faced hardships and have chosen to dig deep in their faith. They are an example to us of how to trade our sorrow and pain and lay them down for the joy of the Lord.
– Michele
