Ever feel like you are just playing Chop Sticks

Ever feel like quitting read this story by Charles Swindoll.

"Jan Paderewski, the famous Polish pianist and statesman, was once scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America. It was a black-tie affair-a high-society extravaganza.

Present in the audience that evening was a woman who had brought her nine-year-old son, hoping that he would be encouraged to practise the piano if he could just hear the great Paderewski at the keyboard. Weary of waiting for the concert to begin-and being there against his wishes anyway-the lad squirmed restlessly in his seat. Then, as his mother turned to talk with friends, the boy slipped out of his seat and down the aisle, strangely drawn by the ebony concert grand sitting majestic and alone at the centre of the huge stage. He sat down on the tufted leather stool, placed his small hands on the black and white keys, and began to play ‘Chop Sticks’.

Suddenly the crowd hushed, and hundreds of frowning faces turned in his direction. Irritated an embarrassed, some began to shout: ‘Hey, get that boy awayfrom there!’ ‘Where’s his mother?’ ‘Somebody stop him!’

Backstage, Paderewski heard the uproar and the sound of the simple tune. When he saw what was happening he hurried onto the stage. Without a word to the audience, he walked up behind the lad, reached his arms around either side of him, and began to improvise a counter-melody. As the two made music together, the master pianist kept whispering in the boy’s ear: ‘Keep going. Don’t quit, son. Keep on playing . . . don’t stop . . . don’t quit’.

So it is with us. We hammer away at life, and sometimes it seems about as significant as ‘Chop Sticks’. Then, about the time we are ready to give up along comes the Master, who leans over and whispers: ‘Don’t quit. Keep going,’as He provides His finishing touch of grace, love, and joy at just the right moment."