The Piano Miracle and Other Tales

The first tale I’ll share is actually a thought from Elder Alexander A. Odume called Being content . He shared an experience from his childhood growing up in Nigeria where his family received a gift of food from a neighbor during a celebration. Young Alexander really wanted some of this delicious food and begged his mother to have some even though it was customary that his father decide when to eat the food. His mother, not wanting to disrespect her husbands traditional role initially said no but then acquiesced. Mama gave the boy a little of the food because she didn't want her boy to be unhappy. When the father arrived home and heard what had happened, he was unhappy with his son and pulled him aside to talk. He said to young Alexander that he was very disappointed in what he had done- that he had not shown contentment for what he already had. He taught his son that peace of mind and a good life are only for those who are content with what they have.
My second tale is the Piano Miracle. One day a few months ago out of the blue, a Sister in our Ward called me and said “I have a piano that I would like to give your family, would you like it?” Of course I said yes and sent Owen and a few other men over to collect the unexpected prize. Owen and I instantly counted this acquisition a huge blessing from Heavenly Father because there was no way that we can afford to buy even a picture of the most derelict piano you could think of.

As you might expect, a few weeks after receiving the piano, I received a calling to serve as Primary pianist. I said yes but knew that my piano skills were limited to playing for my own enjoyment and not at all developed enough to accompany anyone. Since that time, I have been burdened with all sorts of pride because I have habitually prayed each week for miraculous skill beyond my own but wasn't given what I desired. I wondered several times why Heavenly Father would subject me to feelings of torture and humiliation in front of our ward family and my little son in Primary.

Then this past Sunday the tide turned in my mind. As I sat at the primary piano ashamed with my lack of skill and struggling to play "Called to Serve" over and over, I thought of Elder Odume’s tale and realized that I was guilty of not being content with the miracles that I’d been given! How selfish I felt as I though of how by the grace of God we had a piano and I had been given the opportunity to develop a skill. My reaction? In stead of being content with these immense gifts, I audaciously asked to forfeit the work and be blessed with something that I haven’t yet earned. I’ve given this epiphany a lot of thought so far this week and it’s already begun to bless me more and more as I’ve applied this principle in my consideration of all of the diverse areas of my life. I hope that I can develop this skill: of being content with God’s will and His call to serve in whatever capacity He requires.