The Recital

Luke 2:48-51 – And when they saw [Jesus] they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. (RSV)

My son had received much recognition for pitching a "no hit, no run" Little League baseball game the previous week, so for him, pitching was far more important than piano. Consequently, we were the last to arrive at the chapel of a retirement home where his piano recital was to take place.

I focused my attention on seeing that my son reached the front of the chapel where the other students were seated. When I looked for my three-year-old daughter, I didn't find her at first, but then, there she was in the last pew at the back, just talking up a storm with one of the older residents of the home. The older lady's countenance changed into a smile of delight and then laughter.

This was such a surprise, because she was usually a very quiet child. I went back to get her, and when we reached our pew, I told her how concerned I was when I couldn't see her anywhere.

She replied, "Oh, but mother, she needed me to talk to her. … She needed me to talk to her."

This reminded me of Jesus in the temple, going about His Father's business, and the concern of His parents when they couldn't find Him. Like Jesus, my little daughter had understood that the older, forlorn-looking lady needed her to talk to her. That little daughter today is a Registered Nurse in the operating room, and trains Certified Nursing Assistants to be passionate and understanding to older patients.

Prayer: Lord, we pray that You will give us the wisdom to know and understand when we can do our small part to make a day a little brighter for other human beings, especially those seniors who have children and loved ones too far away to visit regularly. A smile of acceptance or a greeting is such a small, positive gift to give to one who needs it. We also pray for more understanding of others' situations and problems, since we have not worn their shoes or travelled their roads. Amen.

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