Learning the Tune

This was in the devotion I read the other day and I knew I needed to share. I read this the day before I turned 40. I must confess that I am struggling a bit w/ the cold hard fact that I have actually turned this corner in my life. How can it be??? I still feel like that girl chanting a cheer for her boy, like that girl who would have danced all night at the Brook. But reality quickly sets in when 20 minutes doing my new Zumba Wii Fitness leaves me w/ a sore back, stiff knees and weak ankles. Not to mention the laughter that goes on in the background. Come on , I still have the moves, don't I ???? So, anyhoo, I was having a rough morning thinking about all of the things I was suppose to accomplish by now and the fact that my life very well could be half over. I know ,I know, those of you who are older than I  are sighing the words ,"Oh brother." I opened up Streams of the Desert (because this pity party led me right to the dessert...oops I said dessert. If that is true it is between me and the Lord. LOL) just to see what it would have to say on that very day.


"There is no music in a rest,but there is the making of music in it." In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by "rests," and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune. God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness,disappointed plans,frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives; and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the music which ever goes up  to the ear of the Creator. How does the musician  read the "rest"? See him beat the time with unvarying count, and catch up  the next note true and steady as if no breaking place had come between.


Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over,not to be omitted,not to destroy the melody,not to change the keynote. If we look up , God Himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves, " There is no music in a 'rest,' let us not forget " there is the making of music in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently  God works to teach us. How long He waits for us to learn the lesson!
~ Ruskin


In this sitting with this book in my hand, not only was I feeling like God just gave me a great gift  but a good kick in the rear end as well. I was filled w/ gratefulness as I pondered the music that God had already made out of my life and began to praise Him for His grace and patience. Sometimes it may take me a long time to learn the lessons but He never fails to lovingly work to teach me. I am so thankful that He is making music during the rests!!!!


Guy David said to me the other day, " So what DID you accomplish in your first 20 years??" Not much ,that is for sure. As I began to think on that, I became pretty excited about those dreaded numbers 40. I can only imagine what kind of music the Lord will compose now as I am more teachable and mature.( Yes, I know some of you question that.) HERE'S to 40!!!!! CHEERS!!!!! And HERE'S TO MAKING MUSIC!!!! Whether it is the  "duh" sound of the recorder,the steady beat of a drum or the peaceful sound of the harp,( or if you are humming in your clarinet **giggle**) I know my notes will be full and clear if He is my conductor.