Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Sunday's Coming


Good morning,


We are still in Arizona, but we are sight seeing on our way home. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel these next few days.
Our season at Suncape RV Resort was a great experience can't wait to share with many of you in person how God used us and how this great park blessed us. I didn't feel good (physically) most of the time there, but God in all his glory strengthened me. Many times He used one of you when you called or sent an email to encourage me. I was able to continue God's work. This reminds me of a story. I know, that shocks you. It follows below.

Thanks for your prayers, emails, phone calls and your financial support.

Have a great day,

love you,

pass it on,

Don

How Much Music Can You Make?

Imagine this. A concert violinist is performing a difficult piece in front of a large audience.

Suddenly there is a loud snap that reverberates throughout the auditorium.

The audience immediately knows that a string has broken and fully expects the concert to be suspended until another string, or instrument, is brought to the musician.

But instead, the violinist composes herself, closes her eyes and then signals the conductor to begin again.

The orchestra resumes where they had left off and now the musician plays the music on three strings.

In her mind she works out new fingering to compensate for the missing string.

A work that few people can play well on four strings, the violinist with the broken string plays on three.

When she finishes, an awesome silence hangs in the room. And then as one, the crowd rises to their feet and cheers wildly.

The violinist smiles and wipes perspiration from her brow. When silence returns to the great room, she explains why she continued to play in spite of a broken string.

"You know," she says, still breathless, "sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."

We know what she means, don't we? Maybe we've lived most of our lives and we have only a little time left.

Can we still make music?

Maybe disease has robbed us of our capacity to work.

Can we still make music?

Perhaps a financial loss has left us impoverished.

Can we still make music?

Or maybe a meaningful relationship has ended and we feel alone in the world.

Can we still make music?

There will come a time when we all experience loss. Like the violinist, will we find the courage to discover just how much music we can still make with what we have left?

How much good we can still do?

How much joy we can still share?

For I'm convinced that the world, more than ever, needs the music only you can make.

And if it takes extra courage to make the music, many will applaud your effort.

For some people have lost more than others, and these brave souls inspire the rest of us to greater heights.

Just how much music can you make with what you have left?

Let the Music Begin.....

With thanks to KH Marolia

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Don, have a great summer.
Gert & Wayne

Wendy and Rick Fury said...

I loved it. I hope that I can make music for someone when they need it the most. You have made music for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Oh by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope you have a glorious day.

EaglesEye said...

Wow - that is a story that one will not forget easily, it was sent from your soul to all of ours. A great gift that you have given to us in celebration of your birthday. Thank you.
May we in turn give back to you ten fold -

Happy Birthday and many blessings,
God loves you,
Nadine

Margietoo@gmail.com said...

Happy Birthday, Don.
God Bless your travels.
We always enjoy your stories and thoughts!
Love ya',
John and Margie Cartwright

N.O.G. said...

Brother Don,
Thank you once again for a powerful message! You continue to encourage us as we go through all that life seems to throw at us. DeAnn and I give thanks for my passing the 5 year mark since my cancer surgery. We pray that God continue to watch over you and LaVon as you travel this great country. HAPPY BIRTHDAY .. and may you continue "making music" for many more!! Bruce & DeAnn

Leslie said...

Happy Birthday, Papa Doppy! We love you!

Snookie said...

((singing))

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Don
Happy Birthday to you

We hope you have a wonderful birthday dear friend.

May God keep you and LaVon safe as you travel the highways and byways on your way home.

Bob and Snookie

Claudia said...

Don, Happy Birthday and we wish you many,many,many,many,many...whew you get the picture...more!!! Have a wonderful and safe journey home.

Debbie J said...

Happy Birthday Don and God Bless you both, I am praying that you and LaVon have a safe trip back to Oklahoma and I will see you both in June.
Love Debbie J

BUD AND SHELLEY said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! Always know that you are a very special person as you walk this land and do Gods work. He will give you all the strength and courage to do what ever he needs you to do. With that special lady by your side you can climb any mountain together. love to you both! Bud & Shelley

margie said...

Thanks, Don, for your words of wisdom and thought. It was good to see both of you this past w/e and listen to your last message at Sunscape. Thank you, too, for the lunch treat. Though the day is almost over, I hope you had a very Happy Birthday and I pray that the coming year will be full of special blessings for you. I pray God's guidance as you two travel to visit with friends and family. Happy Birthday, Don! Margie

Peggy & Bill said...

Although I haven't met you, your "Sunday's Coming" are always a blessing to me. Thank you for being a blessing to all who follow you & our Lord. By the way, a little bird said to say.......Happy Birthday!
Happy Travels to you.