Thoughts for another day

June 21, 2006

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 5:18. give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (KJV).

Phil Harbor stood on stage. The people were giving him a standing ovation. He had just rendered his own composition and his voice had rung through the auditorium touching the hearts of the people there, both noblemen and hoi polloi with the greatest hint of melody ever. His mind traversed back to about twenty years ago.

That morning as he tried to sing Amazing Grace in church, all turned to look at him and some even remarked, ‘will somebody tell that crow to stop singing?’ Some even laughed. Phil actually shrank into his seat and cried. When the service was over he went to the dorm crying. All the boys sang well except him. Fr. Dom seeing Phil, usually a happy orphan boy with tears in his eyes gently asked him what happened. Between sobs Phil narrated his experience. Fr. Dom put his hand around him and said, ‘my son, God has given you a wonderful life. He has also given you a wonderful voice. All you need to do is discover it. Count it a blessing my son that he found you fit enough to discover it, unlike us who can sing easily.’ That was a lesson Phil never forgot. Fr Dom advised him to practice singing the way his idol sang, whenever he was free and Phil did just that. Over time, Phil slowly but steadily emerged as one of the best singers in the children’s choir. He could sing any note at any pitch and at any time.

When he sang ‘Amazing Grace’ solo the first time on invitation at the neighboring church, the echo of God’s love flowed in the flawless voice and floated into the hearts of all of them there in the church, leaving many teary eyed. And thus began Phil’s musical sojourn. He was fondly known as the ‘orphan music-tender’. Now at age thirty-seven, he knew how he had been able to counter his difficulty and bless the Lord with his voice. Then looking up towards Heaven, he thanked God, who had despite the odds, enabled him to rise. His voice was a miracle!

My beloved in Christ, the reason for misery in our lives is because we fail to count our many blessings. We sing the song loudly but fail to practice it. We grumble, mumble and nag. Do you think our Father in heaven likes it? Remember, He hated grumblers. He hates them even today. He loves when people praise Him for the faults he has put in them. He loves when people like Phil bless Him for their sore voices and He loves them more when they say, ‘even with this voice I will sing’. And then He releases His blessings upon them and enables them to do much. Like St Paul, I exhort you to give thanks in all circumstances; for it is God’s will. Today, if there’s something the Lord has put in your life that seems faulty, look up to Heaven and thank Him. There up above the clouds, the Lord of your life will smile back at you. Rest assured, His blessings will flow fast and full unto you.