Theology in the Trenches
The Little Girl and the Violin
Theology in the Trenches
By Kathleen Kjolhaug
Twas the first day of orchestra. Violin was the instrument of choice. Not only was it the choice of the little girl, but that of her best friend’s as well. Together, they were a team.
From the soccer field, to the basketball and volleyball courts they tagged team. Neck and neck they were—as each kept time with the other. From carpooling to picking up the instruments needed, the parents kept watch and soon, once again, the little friends found themselves in the basement of one home—practicing these instruments of choice well before the first day of instruction ever began.
Never mind neither one knew nary a note. The strings were enough for now and oh the sounds they could make! The squeaky wheel gets the grease and these two were learning this life lesson first hand. Although their stringed instruments may not have had much grease, the squeaky took over and as they huddled together in the midst of the muddle, their confidence grew.
Finally, it was the day of all days. Today would be the day they would learn how to play their precious violins and officially begin their journey. Out the door each marched from their homes with instrument in tow. Twas the moment the two had been waiting for, and off they went.
Spoiler alert—they did learn. And, the lesson learned this day, albeit not what they’d planned, was worthy of note. As any good grandma would do, after receiving notice that this was the first day of orchestra, she called to see how the little musician’s debut unfolded.
Grandma: So…how was your very first day of orchestra?
Grand: Grandma, my friend and I were the only ones who brought their instrument to class! Nobody else even brought theirs!
Grandma: “Wow honey, it sounds like you’ll be doing a lot of solos for concerts down the road if that keeps up!”
Grand: “They were supposed to go get them this summer and it looks like nobody else did!”
Grandma: The silence was short lived as laughter broke forth between the two as the conversation continued. “Looks to me like you just learned one of life’s biggest lessons.”
Grand: “What do you mean grandma?”
Grandma still laughing: “Well—much of life is just waiting for others to show up!”
Soon, even she caught the giggles at the prospect that whether she liked it or not, she’d have to wait until the other orchestra members were ready. It appears interdependence is the name of the game—lest you like solos year-round.
Matthew 25:10,13 reminds us, “And those who were prepared entered with him…And so you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
So many lessons in life teach vigilance and as He is a God of mercy and grace, it is He who was vigilant and made a way long before we ever knew we’d need it. It’s not only a way, but THE WAY . “For it was while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). Amen.
Being part of the orchestra is only part of it—as it is the Conductor who orchestrates. In Him our hope. Amen.