I’ve heard it said that music is the first thing we remember and its the last thing we forget. Music has always played an important part in my life. I adore a good song…any kind of song, every genre of music. This is why you often see most of my blog posts accompanied with a tune.
I stand amazed at the power of a song. A song can help us express emotions that escape us. A song can calm an anxious child and it has had the documented healing power to cause someone in the depths of a coma to speak again. A song can transport plain ol’ us to a place beyond ourselves and the present moment – to a place: Of remembering. Of sorrow. Of healing. Of hope. Of happiness. Of silliness. Of celebration. Of worship. Of peace. Of love. Of grace.
We had a piano when I was growing up. I took weekly lessons to learn to play. I was not a natural. I did however naturally love the pursuit of a song. As a teenager, I would sit at our piano, play for hours and sing. Despite the lessons, I wasn’t very good. I couldn’t play by ear and was jealous of those who could. Still, I played. I always found God at that piano.
This past Sunday night, CBS Sixty Minutes featured the story of Derek Paravinci. Derek was a preemie when he was born, weighing only 1.5 pounds. He “died” several times and survived to be diagnosed as autistic and blind. At the age of three with very limited communication skills, his nanny gave him an old toy organ with which to play. He immediately began to pound with karate chops the hymn he had heard earlier at church. He found his voice. He found a song. God was in that organ. At the age of four he met Dr. Adam Ockleford at the blind school when he pushed the instructor from his stool to beat “Dont Cry for Me Argentina” from the keyboard. The teacher and student have been together ever since. Derek, now in his twenties, is a prodigy. He can play any song he has ever heard. He can play it in any key… in any style you suggest. This genius can play the piano but he cannot button his own shirt or tie his own shoes. Still, he has traveled the world. He is sharing his song.
I sat watching this story with tears streaming down my face. I was so moved by his music. His life. If Derek did not have the limitations that he has, I wonder if I would find him so intriguing. Would his music remain miraculous? Honestly, I don’t think so. He may appear to me as just another ego pounding out a song? It is his handicaps that have set him apart and have made his music sweeter. He is a living picture of grace, for I can see God’s strength in his weaknesses.
Derek’s full story can be read in the biography: “In the Key of Genius” written by his teacher Dr. Adam Ockleford. It is now on my must read list. As I scanned Amazon.com for this book, I noticed it can also be purchased with a book citing “music for children with complex needs” I read that description and thought to myself- “aren’t we all just children with complex needs?”
Thankfully ,we have a Father in heaven who knows all of our needs -simple or complex. He knows our handicaps, our limitations and where exactly to show his strength…when we are willing enough to get out of his way. It is by his grace, God can take our life, use the limitations, and make it into a beautiful song the world will never forget.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
