Trust
It was my last full day at camp, as I walked from my dorm across the open ball fields to the Hawley Lodge. I was carrying my violin in its case and my gig bag, to join April Tummins on guitar and David Brackney on banjo for an afternoon of musical enjoyment.
Brian Bush, 9, one of my Bible students, recognized me, and ran to me, eagerly asking me, “Is that a violin? Can I show you what I have learned and what I can do? Please? Please?” His counselor, Brian Hernandez, tried to “head him off” by saying, “Come on, Brian, you don’t have time. We’re heading to the horse barn for our rides. Don’t bother Mr. Dan.”
I was touched by Brian’s pleading, and it was apparent that he had lessons and that he knew how to handle a violin. Not wanting to discourage him, I told Brian, “It’s OK, brother. I’ll let him play.”
I stopped by a volleyball post, dropped my things, opened the case, and handed the instrument to him. My feeling was correct; he knew what to do! He demonstrated his bow technique, as well as his ability to go string-to-string with ease, clarity and proper rhythm. Satisfied, he finished, and handed the instrument back to me with thanks. I complimented him on his ability. He then went off with his group to ride horses.
I joined April and David in the Lodge, and we did pretty well, trying to play pieces from each other’s collections. We had a lot of fun!
Holly Sargent, 7, also my Bible student, came to the Lodge with her parents, and heard us playing. She claimed, and her parents confirmed, that she could play the violin. I willingly lent her my instrument, and she did a good job playing a familiar melody, despite the fact that she’s used to a child’s-sized instrument. I complimented her on a job well-done!
Before our afternoon was over, Joy Grabenstein, 17, one of our staff, had come to the Lodge, and she heard us playing. David had already told me about her; she’s an accomplished violinist, and plays with a community orchestra in Flint. This time I urged her to please play my violin. She was very humble about her ability, but she obliged all of us. Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” never sounded so beautiful on my violin! We all thanked her for her gift of music.
There was a common thread woven through that afternoon. I had trusted each one with my violin, because of the claims I had heard about them. Each of them, in their own ways, performed beautifully.
Everything around me is a gift from God: my life-support system (Earth), right down to my physical body and spiritual soul (I Cor. 6:19 – 20). God has lent all of these things to me. God trusts me with His stuff. How am I handling His gifts?
God has a track record of dependability (Jas. 1:17; Titus 1:2). Can I trust His claims? Can I trust Him with my soul?
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