Encouragement

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Nearly last weekend now, I heard someone over at my next door neighbor's house to the north. Since he was hardly ever home even when he lived there and because I've always been extra fond of him like a mother, I rushed over to say goodbye in case it was him. Heaven only knows what I'd have done if it was NOT him, but that's a nightmare for another story.

Well, it was indeed this young man. I'd never had occasion to walk all the way into his living room, so my jaw dropped when I saw the piano of my dreams. He immediately offered it to me for free if I could find someone else to move it. Gasping for breath, I stammered that I'd only come to tell him goodbye and ask what he wanted for his riding lawn mower if it was for sale (he's moved to an apartment). Well, he gave me the riding lawnmower too, saying it only needs a new starter.

Back to the piano. I've never believed in turning down something because I might have no idea under the sun how to drag it home. Yet. Remember I'm barely over 5 feet tall. So I said sure, thanking him profusely. As soon as possible I ran home and hit the phone.

Clarity demands that I remind everyone I have absolutely NO free ready cash to hire movers. Anyway, I wound up at the tender mercy of a local church blessed with a good number of strong men. Even knowing I belong to a denomination with considerable theological differences, their pastor readily promised me a moving crew by the next day. I'd explained that time was of the essence, since I didn't want some shirt tail relatives showing up and laying claim to my prize before it was safely tucked away in its proper
new place.

The piano itself is a great treasure to me. More than that, however, I'm in awe of the generosity of spirit shown in this small midwest town toward a newcomer. Even more than that, I'm supremely grateful to our Heavenly Father for reminding me so gently of how many good people there are in this troubled world.

You see, when I moved here from Arizona, someone I'd placed the greatest trust and confidence in betrayed me by stealing the two most valuable items I owned when he was loading the moving van. Weeks later he confessed by phone and promised to send these things to me, although he then turned around and sold everything before deserting his
family of numerous small children and a desperately sick wife.

For six months I've really tried to forgive (not excuse) the skunk but it has been beyond difficult. Now in a way I feel that maybe God's trying to remind me how He's the one in control, ready and able to bless us abundantly no matter how the world sometimes butts us. It has to be beyond coincidence that people would put themselves out that much for a relative stranger. At least a dozen men showed up to move that piano, and believe me twelve was none too many.

The piano itself - actually the most minor point in this story! - is truly a marvel to anyone who loves antiques. It's made of cherry, heavily carved in Greek style with columns and cornices and curliques all over. Probably circa 1850's. It's in pretty good tune and condition, even though a few keys don't have much ivory left and the two keys on either end are dead. So far. Certainly many folks would consider it just an old piece of junk, but my heart thrills at the very sight.

This piano means far more to me than the two stolen items put together, valuable though they were. Most importantly, I have a visual reminder of a great spiritual truth. Next time I feel like whining to God about how mean some people can be, it'll be a lot harder to build up a big head of steam, won't it?

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