A good story is always worth repeating, perhaps revealing some new insight in the retelling. I first heard this story many years ago, but when it reappeared in an email a few days ago, it seemed an especially appropriate reflection as we walk together through Lent.
Many years ago, the story goes, a mother wanted to encourage her young son’s progress in learning the piano. She took him to a concert featuring the renowned Polish pianist, Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
Once seated, the mother spotted a friend and went over to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the concert hall, the little boy wandered away from his seat, and finding a door labeled “No Admittance,” he pushed it open. As the house lights dimmed, the mother returned to her seat and discovered her son was missing. Suddenly, the stage curtains parted and in the spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage, the horrified mother saw the little boy sitting at the keyboard innocently picking out, note by note, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
At that moment, the great Paderewski made his entrance onto the stage. He quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the boy’s ear, “Don’t stop. Keep playing!” Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. He reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato with his right hand. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed an unexpected situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
It really doesn't matter too much whether this story is true, in sense of factual. It's true insofar as it resonates with something in our lives. Whatever our feeble efforts at being faithful disciples of Jesus may be, do we hear him whisper, "Don't stop. Keep on." Can we believe that he is transforming our lives into something wonderful to fulfill his creative designs?
I love you.
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