We were given an ancient piano – 1871-1880

It sounded fine to us, but to any trained ear, it was as flat as a tack.

No one wanted the job.

“It’s too old.

We’d be liable if strings broke.

It’s not worth fixing.”

The romantic, antique-loving part of my heart didn’t get it.

It was playable, everything looked to be in good working order, but the professionals groaned whenever I mentioned it’s age.

Thankfully after explaining we weren’t expecting the world, Erin agreed to at least come and take a look.

A week later, I welcomed her into our home – she groaned, complaining “I hate old pianos.”

“Hello,” I responded.

“Oh…Hello,” she said.

I took her into the playroom, and she saw it.

“Ugh, I hate these old things.”

Trying not to be offended, I ignored her complaints. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No, thanks.”

“Ok, I’ll leave you to it.”

She spent the next hour tuning the notes. To me it didn’t sound that different. Erin eventually called me in to reveal the work she’d done so far.

“It probably hasn’t been tuned in about 50-60 years!”

“How do you know that?” I inquired.

“Every single note is flat, completely flat. Inside you can tell. How does it sound?”

“Sounds good to me!” I said.

Pleased with my response she suggested, “maybe I’ll just keep going and try and lift it further?”

“That’s sounds great, thanks. I’ll leave you to it.”

She continued on, for another 3/4 of an hour.

Calling me in for a second time-she tinkered.

As she played, I could see the pride at what this ‘horrible, old piano’ was now sounding like.

It was soooooo much better. Even this novice musical ear could tell.

No longer were the notes sounding like cavernous, echoey, cavern like sounds-but single notes.

I could have cried.

I felt compelled to ask her what was involved in tuning a piano.

This was when she said, the most impacting line – of which I’ll never forget.

She told me that each key had 3 strings attached.

For the note to be just right, each of the individual strings needs to be tightened – in order to tune it.

“Each string must be tuned to just the right tension, in order to play the one note.”

I have never heard of a better explanation of the trinity – Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit than this.

Each playing an integral part for the perfect note to be expressed, fulfilling its Kingdom design.

This precious woman, who didn’t know Him yet, just gave me a powerful picture of what I desire in my faith.

Yes, we all need to be tuned.

Our strings become loose over time, we age, sometimes others can’t be bothered to get them services and tuned.

But as we attune to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our song becomes all that it can be… rather than settling.

crisp and clear over echoey and muffled.

Let your sound be heard precious one.

Play your instrument. Release your unique sound into the world.

We need you to play your own song.

I look forward to applauding you all the way.

xxxxx