I’ve performed a fair amount in my time. I have many piano recitals and competitions under my belt. I know what it means to feel panicked, with cold, sweaty hands; It was nothing for my legs to be wobbly and my fingers could turn to jelly without a moment’s notice. If I contemplate some of my performances from days gone by, I can feel my heart begin to pound uncontrollably.
I’m not a soloist – I mean I am, or I was. That’s what my college degree was all about- I earned the diploma and it says “Bachelor of Music” in “Piano Performance.” But, to this day I do not prefer to play alone.
How did it all work out? Well, I have a mom named Rose. I can remember her missing only one performance when I was in high school. And in college she came to many of them as well. She was a rock – always calm, watching quietly. But now I know what she was really doing.
Today, I went to my daughter, Emily’s piano recital. She was very prepared. I knew she was ready to play, and could play the piece well. But, as we drove to our piano instructor’s home, I saw familiar signs. Her stomach hurt. Her hands were cold. She couldn’t remember any of the song… I thought my heart was going to start racing on her behalf.
As we pulled up the driveway, I thought to myself, “Well this is new. What in the world do I do now that I’m the mama? It was a miracle when I made it through my own performances… ” And I tried to think, “What did my mom do?”
Assuming that I am truly like my mother, I did the only thing I knew to do. I did what I’m pretty sure she did all those times in the recital hall. I prayed. I prayed hard. I desperately did not want Emily to have a failure, no matter how small. Before we got out of the car, I held her little hands (trying to warm them up a bit) and we prayed together that the Holy Spirit would guide her hands and keep her memory fit.
He did. It was beautiful.
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14
Looking back, I realize a lot of my musical successes can be attributed to the prayers of my mom. I don’t think I would have made it through my college degree without them. More than ever I understand a bit better just how much my prayers can change Emily’s life… His promises are real and undeniable. He alone deserves the glory for my own successes and my daughter’s too.
I’m so thankful for my mother’s example and hopeful I can follow in her footsteps. Maybe Emily will be able to follow in mine someday. Like mother, like daughter.
daily portion 