Nelson has a friend who’s a professional song writer. He lives in the Music Capital of the Nation, Nashville, and works daily at his craft. Jeremy (left) also records his music, performing what he’s written on his skillfully-played guitar. He’s a talented guy, and once in a while the music world shows its appreciation by purchasing one of his tunes.
Today I bought a song, too, but it wasn’t one of Jeremy’s. The price was right (5 cents) and the writer was someone near and dear to me: granddaughter Skylar.
It all started yesterday when I accompanied her to her weekly home school gathering where each child was expected to make a “presentation” in front of the class.
This weekly exercise helps the students gain confidence in public speaking, even though each one lasts only 2 minutes. The topic was “missionaries”, and Skylar’s speech began with a brief report about her Uncle Nelson’s recent teaching effort in Russia’s Siberia.
But she quickly diverted into her song-writing business and said, “I wrote a song for my new baby brother, and I’ll sing it for you now.”
Without so much as a nervous pause, she sang her original song acapella in front of her class and received applause and rave reviews. Although many in her audience have baby siblings at home, none had ever written a song of welcome.
- Dear Baby.
- I love you.
- And I love you more
- With my whole heart.
When Skylar returned to her chair, her seat partner Sarah wrapped her arms around her in congratulations, and I glanced at the classroom door, half expecting someone to rush in with a bouquet of roses.
God has gifted both Jeremy and Skylar with a love for words and notes and then added the ability to put them together. The rest of us might feel short-changed if it weren’t for the biblical assurance that all of us have been given talents. God endows each of us with skills and capabilities he expects us to share with others. Sometimes these are lifelong gifts and other times are given just temporarily, for specific short-term use.
When I study my 7 grown children, I can point out special aptitudes in each of them that have been put there by God. This isn’t surprising, since every person is a one-on-one creation, no two exactly alike.
Surely the Lord delights in combining different bents and proficiencies within people (just as he does with physical features), then excitedly waiting to see what we’ll do with them. If we use them just to please ourselves, we’ll miss out on a big blessing, but if we share for another’s benefit, God will be pleased. He may even give us additional talents.
Tonight Skylar approached me with another musical piece, this time about me. It was short but very sweet:
- Dear Midgee.
- I love you.
- And I’m very happy
- That you came to Florida.
SOLD!
As for Jeremy? He’d better keep an eye on his competition.
“We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10)
This is such a sweet time, in your life, right now. Babies, preschoolers, and really, all types of big kids gather around you, with much love.
What a thrill and delight to watch these little ones emerge from their own cocoons, take wing in their own gifts and talents. Like a never-ending movie, Margaret, the script unfolds daily and the photo-shoot never ends. You have had quite a full 2 weeks with such sweet memories. So happy for you!