My posts usually revolve around the children, since they make up the majority of my experiences these days (and their pictures are cute), but the focus of this post is my amazing husband. I am writing this because I want to remember this rather momentous occasion. Our morning worship at Redemption OPC a couple of weeks ago was accompanied solely by husband on the piano. He played the prelude, all the hymns, the offertory, and the doxology! It was so great!
If you play the piano but have never accompanied a group of people, you may not know how daunting it can be. It’s not the same as playing solo pieces. It’s a strange combination of leading and following. You have to be steady and consistent in your rhythm and the accuracy of your notes, and be able to keep going even when you flub notes..and not lose your place. You have to take the songs slowly enough that the congregation can follow, but also be strong enough to lead them when they start to drag. And those are just the mechanics.
Then there are the heart issues. You have to play in worship to God, doing everything for His glory and not your own. You have to practice towards excellence without losing focus and wondering what people are thinking about your playing. You have to give your nerves over to God and pray that any mess-ups will not be a distraction to others’ worship. It’s a lot to think about.
Well, my darling husband, if you ever get around to reading this, I would like to let you know how much I admire you for your efforts in practicing and then your courage during the worship service. The Lord has surely grown you in His grace. You rendered an awesome service to Him and to our church, and I’m thankful for your willingness to do it.
The title of this post is a little nickname I (secretly) have for my husband. I am always amazed by the many gifts that God has given him. First of all, he loves the Lord. He is a faithful and loving husband and father and a hardworking software developer. But he is also extremely handy (he does wood-working and fixes things around the house). He is an artist (he wouldn’t say so, but his drawing is really good). He’s an athlete and naturally good at sports. AND he’s musical! You really do amaze me, honey!
I didn’t take a picture of him playing during the service, of course, but here’s one I snapped of him working hard in his little home office. 🙂 Note the small humidor filled with cigars in the background, and Lucy’s latest art for Daddy.