The Symphony of Life

Paderewski, the famous composer-pianist was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America some years ago. It was an evening to remember black tuxedos and long evening dresses a high-society extravaganza. Present in the audience that evening was a mother with her fidgety 9-year-old son. Weary of waiting for the concert to begin, the boy squirmed constantly in his seat. His mother had hopes that her son would be encouraged to practice the piano if he could just hear the immortal Paderewski play. Against his wishes, he had to come.

As the mother turned to talk with friends, her son could stay seated no longer. He slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the ebony grand piano and its leather tufted seat on the big stage flooded with blinding lights. Without much notice from the audience, the boy sat down on the piano seat, staring wide-eyed at the black and white keys. He placed his small, fingers in the right location and began to play "chopsticks!" The roar of the crowd was hushed as hundreds of frowning faces turned to the stage. Irritated and embarrassed, they began to cry out, "Get that boy away from there!" "Somebody stop him!" "How did he get up there?"

Backstage, the master pianist overheard

the sound out front and quickly grabbed his coat and rushed out on to the stage. Without one word of announcement, he stooped over behind the boy, reached around his sides and began playing a countermelody to harmonize with and enhance the boy's playing of chopsticks. As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering to the boy, "Keep on playing....don't stop...don't quit." The audience, once irritated by the boy's action was now treated to a special improvised rendition of "chopsticks."

And so, it is with us. We go on through life, facing heartache, disappointment and experiences. We hammer away at our projects which seem about as significant as "chopsticks" in a concert hall. But, just about the time we want to give up, along comes the Master of our souls, who leans over and whispers, "Keep going... don't quit... don't stop... don't give up!" He provides a "heavenly" melody, adding the right touch to our lives. I remember a song of long ago that we used to sing in our youth group back In Chicago

Life is a symphony, since the man of Galilee Changed my discords into song, Makes life sweet the whole day long. Life is a symphony, praise the Lord of Calvary No more a stranger, He is the arranger of my symphony.