Don't Quit...Keep Playing

My friend sent me an email tonight with this story.  I do not know who
wrote it but it really touched my heart.  I have been doing family history
lately and boy, has it been frustrating.  Oftentimes I feel thwarted at
every turn and just when I think I have gotten somewhere, another wall.
Somehow God truly will make my feeble attempts into sweet, unforgettable
moments.  I hope this touches you in some aspect of your life as well.

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, a
mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive
Steinway on stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting
at the keyboard, innocently picking out 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly
moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit . . Keep
playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand
and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other
side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.   Together, the old master
and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation
into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized
that they couldn't recall what else the great master played-only the classic,
 ' Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is
hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful
flowing music.  However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can
truly be beautiful.  The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen
carefully.  You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
"Don't quit . . . Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping
you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't
seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately
measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

And  Remember, 'Don't quit .... Keep playing.'