The gift of music

     Last night we had the joy and privilege of listening to the various St. David's bands play at their annual spring concert.  This is now Peter's second full year of playing the trombone, and believe me, we've come a long way, baby.  I well remember those first...uh, interesting...sounds that emanated from his trombone.  Let's just say we never imagined a trombone could produce noises like that.
     After he'd had his trombone for less than a week, we astutely sensed something was terribly wrong. Yes, his trombone was bent!  Thank goodness we were on the ball and realized Peter had somehow gotten a defective one (hence the unusual sounds, I'm sure).  We rushed it back to the music store--which was located in outer Timbuktu--to get a replacement.   FYI--trombones are supposed to have that kind of curve.  Who knew?  Just thought I'd save you the potential embarrassment of a return trip to the music store if this kind of thing ever comes up in your house.
     But here we are nearly two years later, and dang, his trombone playing sounds mighty good to this very biased mama's ear.  The whole band sounded incredible.  Seriously.  Well, for that matter, all four of the bands sounded fabulous.  It was one of those wonderful evenings where you sit with a smile on your face and wish God could make time stand still for a minutes as you try to soak it all in.  Here's Peter's band (a small but mighty group!) as they prepare to play--

    Bingley also finds the trombone fascinating.  When Peter pulls it out to practice, Mr. B desperately wants to get in on the act.

      Bingley especially likes the rousing marches.  Me too.

     Thank You, Father, for the gift of music!  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col.3:16-17)
     What a powerful way to enable God's Word to dwell in us richly--through music!  How many times has a timely hymn or praise chorus lifted your drooping spirits or reinvigorated your tired body?  Oh my, the 17th century playwright, William Congreve, had it so right in his famous words that "Music has charms to soothe a savage beast."
     Or as Amy Carmichael put it, whenever she felt discouraged, she would "sing the doxology and the devil flees."
     So if you're feeling a bit tired or downhearted, maybe it's time to belt out a praise chorus or two.  Or blast a symphony.  Or even sing along with Casting Crowns or Mercy Me.  And while we're at it, let's remember to give thanks to our Father, the Author and Creator of music.  To God be the glory.