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Every Day is Precious: Pianist tithes time with donated lessons
By ROB PAYNE
For Williamson A.M.
Our church is not big on talking about tithing money I've been to services in which the pastor has almost forgotten to pass an offering plate. But I've heard several sermons about tithing time and ministering to others. Linda, a friend from church, doesn't need to hear those sermons because she lives them supernaturally.
A few weeks ago Chuck, another friend, was playing piano beautifully for my wife, Marcy. The next day our 10-year-old Darcy started plunking around on the keys. The day after, Darcy started pulling out her old piano books. Darcy had taken lessons from Linda years ago.
Marcy and I thought that maybe Chuck had inspired Darcy to become curious about the piano again and that maybe she's old enough now to be more interested in music in general. I thought about calling Linda to revive Darcy's piano lessons.
After leaving my job to stay home and care for Marcy, I have felt a little guilty about even having the piano. I wonder what people coming to the house for the first time think of it. Most of our visitors are bringing dinner for us, coming to pray for us, and/or doing something to help us in some way. What do they think when the first thing they see inside the house is a piano. I know what I would think: ''How bad off can these guys be?''
So piano lessons seemed a luxury on top of the luxury of even having the piano. But we try to give our kids as normal a life as possible, so I thought I would call Linda.
''Linda, this is Rob Payne,'' I started.
''Rob, it's good to hear from you. We pray for you often,'' was her instant, friendly reply. Understand that I don't remember ever having met Linda. Marcy always dropped Darcy off at Linda's house for her lessons. I knew the name because I recorded the checks in our financial software.
''Linda, Darcy has been looking at her old piano books and playing a few things,'' I started in an attempt to explain my call. I told Linda I would love for Darcy to take lessons again, but since I can't leave Marcy at home, I wouldn't be able to bring Darcy to her house.
''That's no problem,'' Linda assured me. ''I can come to your house on Friday, my day off. Of course, I won't charge you. I want Darcy to learn. What time would be good for you?'' Before I asked for help, she gave me more than I would have asked.
I know there are people much worse off than we are and we thank God every day for what we have. In light of that, it's hard to think of piano lessons as a ''need.'' But I think about Linda's gift each Friday.
I realize that in coming, she is teaching Darcy much more than piano and music. Some musicians read music, some play by ear. Linda plays and teaches by heart.
Consider finding a family in need, sharing your talents, and turning your ''hours'' into their ''ours.''
Every Day Is Precious is a column to remind us to treat everyone we see today as if it could be the last time we see them. It is written by Rob Payne, whose wife, Marcy, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in August 2000. Now 40, she has gone from winning 5 and 10K races to being quadriplegic and on a ventilator at home. For more about Marcy, visit www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com. If you have helped someone without being asked, or know of someone who has, share it with others. Send to rob@everydayisprecious.com or to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN. 37069.
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