This morning I stumbled onto a video by cellist Wendy Law, who played the same classical piece on three different cellos: one cost $5000, one cost $180,000, and the last one cost $1 million. She encouraged viewers to comment on whether they could tell a difference in the sound among the three instruments.
Between the first two cellos, I couldn’t hear much distinction in sound quality, but the better instrument looked easier to play, as if the cellist's fingers could effortlessly glide up and down the strings instead of wrestling with them, as she occasionally had to do on the cheaper cello. The third one—the million-dollar one—sounded better and looked easier to play. The refinement of the instrument freed the musician to express herself in away she couldn't with the other two.
What we’re given does affect what we have to share with the world; but what we’re willing to give of ourselves shapes it too. A cheap cello might be a bear to play, but a willing musician can coax something beautiful from it. Oftentimes, we can do a lot of good with a lot less than we think we need. And the difficulties we face will just make us appreciate the ease we enjoy, if and when we’re blessed with more.
This season of thanks has been like none others. But a quiet celebration has its own special rewards—namely, less stress and more gratitude. Can you even imagine how much more we’ll all appreciate this time next year, now that we know, beyond a doubt, what made it special all along? We'll never again take for granted the priceless gift of having our families together, under one roof, giving thanks.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 136: 1, 26
[Image by Freerangestock.com]
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