a thousand tongues, or just one…

You probably won’t believe what I’m about to tell you.  In fact, I’m sure some of you will dismiss me and my story.  But, I’m going to tell the truth, in case, just maybe it will encourage someone.  Our God still works miracles.  Let me praise Him a bit, here on the blog:

I’m a pianist by trade.  I’ve worked and had a myriad of experiences, accompanying and coaching, playing for churches, playing for weddings and funerals, in choral settings… the list goes on and on.  I know a lot of literature and have used my skill in a variety of venues large and small.

Because of this, I’ve known that I have a particular limitation.  There is one thing that, even from early on, I’ve understood I just can’t do.  As recently as just last spring, when the opportunity arose I was reminded again: nope. no-can-do.  not gonna happen.

What is it, you ask, that I was sure I could not do?  In the past I have not been able to sing while playing the piano.  Not such a big deal for some, but in church work, if you’re involved in leading worship from the piano it can be a real problem.  serious inconvenience.  and let me just say it was bad.  My husband will tell you, I could not do it.

So, a little more than a month ago, the pastor at the church where I have been the pianist, asked me to lead a particular song from the piano during communion.  and what did I do?

I said yes.

It seemed crazy, but I thought I’d try one more time. I’m not one to give in to my limitations… and, I’m super hard headed. On that Sunday morning I had my mom and my sister praying.  hard.  and I prayed too. a lot.  This communion setting could have meant utter failure and embarrassment for me.

But it wasn’t.  Something happened.  I’ll go ahead and say it.  I think something supernatural happened. Miraculous.  My fingers and my voice worked together in harmony and I played and sang unlike anything I’d ever done before.  I didn’t stutter, my voice didn’t falter. The words came out and my fingers moved skillfully over the keys; based on every prior experience to that point, I know it was the Holy Spirit, moving in and through me.  He made me able.

Since then, I’ve been given a new position and a new opportunity to do more with this ability He’s given.  I’ll be leading worship once in a while, from the piano.  In my former days, I would have been scared out of my mind.  anxiety ridden. But I’m not.  Whenever I sit down at that piano, it just happens.  everything works.  and I can’t explain it.

I can tell you one thing, though.  I can’t take credit for it.  Only God can loosen the tongues of the dumb – or in this case, the mildly incapacitated.  If I had a thousand tongues, I would use them all to praise Him.  But, since I only have one, I’ll use it at my church, and lead others to worship with me.  I am, after all, one small triumph of His grace!

The words to this old hymn seem so appropriate, and I can’t stop thinking of them!

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.