Letter Charity's Piano tuning God tuning awareness Date: May-10-2014
"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterward. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him." - James Hudson Taylor
My Dear Mother
Sarah saw the above statement on the heading of the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter that we received, and asked me, "Do they know you're a piano tuner?"
I told her, Hudson Taylor said those words, long before I was ever born. However, it got me to thinking. I know pianos sound so much lovelier, just after they're tuned. It would be awful to wait until after a concert to tune the piano, that could have produced a beautiful sound, instead of a harsh sound.
I started seeing my own heart as a piano that needs constant care to produce the music that is pleasant and inspiring (even in a single note played). It has helped me to back away from my ugly attitudes many times (not always, but more than before).
One day I went to do a repair on a Steinway piano that was about 100 yrs. old. After working 12 hours straight, God enabled me to put it together, and I felt I could only charge for about 2 ½ hrs. for it. That was stupid of me not to inform the customer of the cost so I could get paid fairly, but the point is, I never got mad at that piano, even though I felt like crying a few times, and was extremely exhausted!
God made everything turn out, and I knew he would. I had seen my Father's example of patience and persistence. When he was in pain, or troubled with a problem after many hours of work, he would softly speak to himself to bless the LORD, saying, "Praise Jesus!" This was before he was delivered from the trouble.
Now I have a little girl. When I'm having a hard time with her, I often am tempted to be angry. Yet, this is outrageous! She is infinitely more precious than all of the fine Instruments I’ve serviced! Those instruments gave me loads of exhausting grief and I don't think I ever got mad at one in over thirty years of dealing with them. She's clearly the one instrument that is my priority. In all of the finest instruments I’ve serviced, I’ve never heard lovelier music than what comes from my daughter's heart when it’s at concert pitch.
I need to have that persistence and patience with her that I have with pianos. I need to remember that God is going to work all together for good for those who love Him. I need to whisper the reminder to myself to "Praise Jesus!" even before I’m delivered of a current trouble.
My father was a piano tuner, but my Father and Mother found their priority seeking to harmonize the finer Instruments God placed in their care, their children. The maintenance and repair of these Instruments required long-suffering with joyfulness. My parents weren't perfect, but I saw many situations where a terrible sounding instrument played lovely music again, because of my parents' gracious care.
"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterward. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him." - James Hudson Taylor
My Dear Mother
Sarah saw the above statement on the heading of the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter that we received, and asked me, "Do they know you're a piano tuner?"
I told her, Hudson Taylor said those words, long before I was ever born. However, it got me to thinking. I know pianos sound so much lovelier, just after they're tuned. It would be awful to wait until after a concert to tune the piano, that could have produced a beautiful sound, instead of a harsh sound.
I started seeing my own heart as a piano that needs constant care to produce the music that is pleasant and inspiring (even in a single note played). It has helped me to back away from my ugly attitudes many times (not always, but more than before).
One day I went to do a repair on a Steinway piano that was about 100 yrs. old. After working 12 hours straight, God enabled me to put it together, and I felt I could only charge for about 2 ½ hrs. for it. That was stupid of me not to inform the customer of the cost so I could get paid fairly, but the point is, I never got mad at that piano, even though I felt like crying a few times, and was extremely exhausted!
God made everything turn out, and I knew he would. I had seen my Father's example of patience and persistence. When he was in pain, or troubled with a problem after many hours of work, he would softly speak to himself to bless the LORD, saying, "Praise Jesus!" This was before he was delivered from the trouble.
Now I have a little girl. When I'm having a hard time with her, I often am tempted to be angry. Yet, this is outrageous! She is infinitely more precious than all of the fine Instruments I’ve serviced! Those instruments gave me loads of exhausting grief and I don't think I ever got mad at one in over thirty years of dealing with them. She's clearly the one instrument that is my priority. In all of the finest instruments I’ve serviced, I’ve never heard lovelier music than what comes from my daughter's heart when it’s at concert pitch.
I need to have that persistence and patience with her that I have with pianos. I need to remember that God is going to work all together for good for those who love Him. I need to whisper the reminder to myself to "Praise Jesus!" even before I’m delivered of a current trouble.
My father was a piano tuner, but my Father and Mother found their priority seeking to harmonize the finer Instruments God placed in their care, their children. The maintenance and repair of these Instruments required long-suffering with joyfulness. My parents weren't perfect, but I saw many situations where a terrible sounding instrument played lovely music again, because of my parents' gracious care.
Cecelia's letter for
Grandfather Sent:
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 3:19 PM
Thanks for the nice letter Dear niece Cecelia I hope it was OK to post it to face-book
From: Cecelia Siewert <[email protected]>
To: Tony W <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 3:19 PM
Subject: Grandfather
Dear Uncle Tony,
I had written this last night and was going to send it, but I lost my Internet connection, which hardly ever happens, so I thought maybe I was supposed to wait till today. Blessings! ~Cecelia
Dear Grandfather,
I am so happy you have lived a life with a purpose to glorify our Creator! I am proud to have called you Grandfather and appreciate the pioneering spirit with which you and Grandmother paved the way in areas such as home worship and Bible study, home schooling, and home business. My family and I will always remember the zeal you had to share the gospel and pass on the gift of music! Siler was excited to tell me about the music lesson you gave him just a couple of weeks ago while we were there. Praise filled homes are an eternal gift you gave to us all that will never be moth eaten nor stolen by thieves! With it we have all been able to build part of our Heavenly habitation. Now, I am happy for you that you have been able to take off this corruptable and put on incorruption! I rejoice that all the toil and pain from this life will not even be remembered for the joy that is now set before you!
We will miss you greatly, and I pray the peace of God from the Holy Spirit comfort Grandmother and all of the family, in the name of our dear Lord Jesus! Amen.
With love to all the family,
Cecelia and Family
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. (John 16)
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians 15)
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21)
Thanks for the nice letter Dear niece Cecelia I hope it was OK to post it to face-book
From: Cecelia Siewert <[email protected]>
To: Tony W <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 3:19 PM
Subject: Grandfather
Dear Uncle Tony,
I had written this last night and was going to send it, but I lost my Internet connection, which hardly ever happens, so I thought maybe I was supposed to wait till today. Blessings! ~Cecelia
Dear Grandfather,
I am so happy you have lived a life with a purpose to glorify our Creator! I am proud to have called you Grandfather and appreciate the pioneering spirit with which you and Grandmother paved the way in areas such as home worship and Bible study, home schooling, and home business. My family and I will always remember the zeal you had to share the gospel and pass on the gift of music! Siler was excited to tell me about the music lesson you gave him just a couple of weeks ago while we were there. Praise filled homes are an eternal gift you gave to us all that will never be moth eaten nor stolen by thieves! With it we have all been able to build part of our Heavenly habitation. Now, I am happy for you that you have been able to take off this corruptable and put on incorruption! I rejoice that all the toil and pain from this life will not even be remembered for the joy that is now set before you!
We will miss you greatly, and I pray the peace of God from the Holy Spirit comfort Grandmother and all of the family, in the name of our dear Lord Jesus! Amen.
With love to all the family,
Cecelia and Family
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. (John 16)
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians 15)
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21)
Hey Tony,
Thanks for the link. It's a really informative website and I especially liked the letters and photos.
I'll endeavor to write up something about the memorable times I experienced with John and email it to you. Your dad was a very special man and a true friend. I think of him often and he will always be a special part of my life. Thanks be to God for the life of John E. Walker!
Hope you are well.
--Patrick
Thanks for the link. It's a really informative website and I especially liked the letters and photos.
I'll endeavor to write up something about the memorable times I experienced with John and email it to you. Your dad was a very special man and a true friend. I think of him often and he will always be a special part of my life. Thanks be to God for the life of John E. Walker!
Hope you are well.
--Patrick
