January Partner Letter 2022

Dear Partner and Friend,

I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help him. I ended up by asking him to do His work through me. (Hudson Taylor)  

He was a five-year-old little boy who loved the piano. Although he’d never had lessons or any kind of formal training, anytime he got a chance, he would sit down and play it. He was often told that he was too small, too young to play the piano. But despite those comments, he continued to practice and practice. In time, the only song he knew how to play was “chopsticks”. Just a very simple tune. But he played it again and again.

One day, his father surprised him. He purchased tickets for them to go to the symphony and hear a world-renowned Italian pianist — one of the greatest piano players alive. As they were walking to their seats there in the auditorium, the little boy saw the beautiful grand piano behind the curtain. While no one noticed, he snuck over and sat down on the piano bench and began to play his childlike version of chopsticks.

About that time, the curtain began to rise. Even though everyone thought they were going to see this world-famous master pianist, they instead saw a little boy hunched over the piano playing “chopsticks”. He was so caught up, he didn’t know anybody was watching. When he realized what was happening, he was nerve struck. Then, just as he was about to get up and run offstage, he felt two big arms reaching around him with the hands landing on the piano keys.

It was the master pianist. And as the little boy continued to play his simple rendition of “chopsticks”, this world-renowned pianist began to play a Beethoven symphony piece in the same cadence and the same key. Under the direction of the master, he brought the rest of the orchestra in.

The boy’s father sat there with tears coming down his cheeks. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He never dreamed that simple tune that he heard in his living room each day would no longer sound like “chopsticks”, but now it would become a full, beautifully orchestrated, Beethoven symphony. What was the difference?  The master stepped in.

As we enter this new year, remember that Jesus, our Lord and Master, has “stepped in” to our lives.  And His promise to us brings something beautiful to us and through us for 2022!   For, “It is God himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire”. (phil. 2:13) We love you, dear partner and are forever grateful for you!  Please let us know if we can pray for you.  

Forever Grateful,

Cindy, Lois and Ray