My daughter pleads pretty please won’t I do it, so I brush the dust off my oboe to play for her school music class. While I’ve played for audiences much scarier than third graders, it has been years since I pushed the keys on this instrument. I need to scrape rust off my notes.
So I open Barlow’s The Winter’s Passed and prop it up where the piano music sits. After I take my seat on the bench and bring the instrument to my lips, memory takes over as notes fly out the bell. My technique leaves much to be desired, but I have musicality, and good musicality covers a multitude of sins.
The melody may be flawed, but at least it’s alive.
As I sway with the tune, I remember how just like technique and musicality, hard work and talent move in tandem for most things. No doubt, talent makes the learning process easier. But with hard work leading the dance, you can coax talent into becoming more sure of herself.
When my second son entered the world eleven minutes after his brother, my first thought {after the rush of relief} was What do I know about raising boys? I grew up part of a trio of daughters in a girl heavy extended family. But hard work covers a multitude of I-don’t-know-what-to-do. The daily hard work and practice of mothering soon had me an expert at little boys, too.
Whether we are revisiting an old love or finding our way around a new one, may we not let our lack of ability scare us. May we allow hard work to lead. And may we pray for God to bless us in the process as we strive to live a melody flawed but alive.
What are you working hard on these days?
I’m working hard on letting go of my full-time life as a mother as I prepare to release my last child to college this fall. I don’t know how to do this…to sit in a home that is empty of the joy and terror of a house full of kids…to make little meals…to love my husband enough without the connection of our beloved children…to make my days purposeful without the ultimate purpose of mothering. I don’t know how, but I will work hard!
I love hearing your heart through your words, Elise. Have you ever read Beth Moore’s Feathers from My Nest? She speaks of this very thing in the book. Prayers for ya, mama…you will do it and do it well!
You have twins? How did I miss this? #GodIsAmazing