One of my dearest friends visited last week and we got to do one of my favorite things: play, music together. It nourished my soul. I felt strengthened by her presence as we played “How Great Thou Art” last Sunday. It’s a beautiful arrangement by John Purifoy with lots of eighth notes that sort of play around the melody.
Now, I’m a trained musician. By this, I mean I’ve taken lessons, read music, practice, practice, and practice some more so that I’m ready to offer my talent to God on Sundays. Not all musicians follow this pattern. My friend played “How Great Thou Art” without music, improvising a melody on her violin. Did I mention she’s only played violin for, maybe ten years? I’ve played the trumpet for 31 years, and I still can’t improvise.
She also plays the harp and piano. She’s one of the most gifted pianists I’ve ever heard. Again, she mostly improvises. She even claims she can’t really read music. I’m not sure I believe her, but she’s one of the most honest people on the planet, so I guess I have to take her word for it.
She loves music as much as I do and can compose (or at least improvise) pieces in a few hours’ time. I love talking about and playing music with her. It’s always a jolt and a heartbreak when she leaves, particularly because I know I won’t get to make music with her again until Christmas.
Now, she’s precious to me for more than her musicality. She’s a beautiful Christian, and an intelligent, kind, and sensitive person. But it’s more than that. It’s the fact that she’s creative. I miss her creativity when she leaves.
I have two friends who are truly creative. I know lots of people who play instruments, sing, paint or write, either for their own pleasure or in school or church. But I don’t know many people who share my passion for music and writing. And I know only two people who are willing to invest the time and effort it takes to produce something worth listening to or reading.
It takes self-discipline, a calling from God, and a special mindset. As I’ve written before, I’ve gotten many of column and devotional ideas while walking. Chicory, ironweed, rhododendrons, and dandelions have inspired columns. Some people view these as weeds. I don’t. I call them wildflowers, revel in their vibrant blue, purple, and yellow, and praise God that chicory and dandelions are still thriving on the berms. It is, after all, October.
Not everyone would see a pond covered in water lilies and paint a series that would become world famous. Claude Monet did. I’m so glad. His paintings are some of my favorites.
Not every man would see the moon and compose a song that’s been my favorite since I was eight years old: “Clair de Lune.” But Claude Debussy did. Thank God for him.
Not every attorney watching the assault on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 would see the American flag and compose “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Francis Scott Key did.
And not every teenage boy watching his father’s sheep would look at the lush grass, the quiet water, a dark valley, and compose the 23rd Psalm.
Water lilies. The moon. A flag. Grass and a stream. These inspired art, music, and scripture that has survived for hundreds, and in the case of David’s work, thousands of years. God gave these men the ability to notice and process ordinary things, and the creativity to transform these into extraordinary works of art.
Can you can make the world a better place by creating something using the eyes God gave you? Create. Build a playhouse for your granddaughter. Bake pumpkin cupcakes with your children. Design a magical garden for yourself where you can read and pray and meditate on God’s goodness. Plant lavender and daisies and day lilies. Buy an old wrought iron bench, where you can sip coffee while reading your Bible next spring. Use your creative abilities to make the world better, prettier, and happier.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!