These moments of panic.
Countless times I’ve picked up my oboe, then my reed, just hoping. Will the reed be ready? My little Snoopy jelly jar has served well in holding a half-inch of water for soaking a reed, but after
years of playing, these times of panic still exist. Often switching from piano, I lift the reed
from the water, asking “Lord, may You sing through this instrument.” Testing the reed softly, there’s no
sound. It’s too tight, disallowing good vibration, causing my heart to race. But I rely on His
answer to an earlier prayer about whether to play this day at all. I risk the human uncertainties, remembering vividly
the thrill of Him having sung through this instrument before. So I gather air to
breathe into the horn. And yes, yes, yes, there He
is! The Lord has sung the first notes! To know His rescue, I am relieved. To experience the Holy Spirit filling and
flourishing, I am in awe.
Again He has brought
death to life in a new and very personal way for me.
Proverbs 8:35 tells us, “For whoever finds me finds life and receives
favor from the Lord.” I treasure His presence.
