Violin, if needed

It was the fall of 1980, just prior to my 5th birthday when my life’s musical journey began with a teeny-tiny 1/4 size violin. It didn’t feel significant at the time. As a high-minded musician of 4, I wanted to play the piano, and this wasn’t it.

A big chunk of my life had been spent observing two things: my mom, vigorously and wondrously playing hymns at the piano for church services; and my sister (who at the time was almost 7) Going to lessons and practicing her violin. Another portion of my life was invested in listening to music, truly not by my own choice. Often Artur Rubenstein’s recordings of the Beethoven concertos for piano were played at our house on the record player. In contrast there was the Suzuki group 1 string class which my sister played in, along with young friends George and Winnie- all of whom played the Twinkle Variations with much gusto. My mom and I listened from the sidelines.

The choice for me was clear. Piano.

But it wasn’t so clear to my mom and dad, who set me on the same path right behind my sister. Suzuki violin, or bust. And it wasn’t a bust. Not exactly. I practiced dutifully and memorized my finger numbers and played every song in Suzuki books one, two and three over the years of lessons. Eventually, my parents let me begin piano lessons, and that was my instrument of choice.

Piano came to my hands effortlessly. Violin was hard work and and always revealed my need for more practice – its not so simple for me. The piano was easy to love and I played it with my heart and soul. Of course, there were times that I enjoyed playing my violin too. Christmas concerts, recitals, church services – I have many fond memories.

But none like this past Sunday.

Since Covid began our church has been having services outdoors and since we can’t hall the piano outside to the parking lot, I have had more opportunities to play my violin. Everything was going just dandy with that plan until the temperatures became unusually chilly for Chattanooga this time of year. Until 2020 it never even crossed my mind that I might need to consider playing my instrument outdoors, in 40 degree weather in a parking lot.

However, God knew. When you think about it, its not so unusual for him to use broken people, in trying circumstances to carry out His plan. The very gift that we wait for with hope in this season of Advent – Jesus, himself- was preceded by a long line of broken family members. It’s the same Jesus who brings hope and healing to our world. His life allows for all of the broken and sinful folks to be grafted right into that same family. So, I guess, me, in my less-than-stellar, imperfect violin playing, in an unusual situation is no exception.

My friend, Dave Hess played piano and sang “Welcome to our World” and he invited me to join him. As I pulled my bow across the strings, in less than perfect tones, with super-frozen fingers, the words pierced my cold heart. You can’t imagine how much I began to rejoice at being a part of this tiniest little piece of God’s story last Sunday.

The song “Welcome to Our World,” was written by Chris Rice many years ago, but these words, were so necessary for the current state of 2020. I’m thankful that I got to be a part of something so beautiful with my violin. I’m hopeful the song drew others close to the Father’s heart as well…

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that You don’t mind our manger 
How I wish we could have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us 
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sins and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Heavenly Father, Will you bring healing to our brokenness and peace to our hurting world? We are grateful for the perfect gift of your Son Jesus, and we wait for the work of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.