We had only been at our current church for a few weeks and I was still learning the ropes of Sunday mornings – when you’re married to the youth pastor, learning the ropes on a Sunday morning is important. While all the pastors are hard at work, their wives take the babies to church by themselves.
I walked down the crowded preschool hallway, the twins holding on to various parts of my coat while I carried my son awkward on my hip, balancing my purse and diaper bag. That’s when I saw him. As we passed the window looking into the two-year-old room, there was a man in the corner rocking chair, children scurrying about around him on knees and play-doh’d hands. And he held a violin. While some babies cried and others toddled around, this man played those God sounds with passion and insight and skill.
He was not a student trying to earn credits, or an intern filling his time sheet. He was a full-fledged professional. I am ashamed to tell you my first thought: What a waste of that beautiful music. These kids don’t even appreciate it. But since when does the effort of the artist depend upon the appreciation of the audience? Those little ears were worthy recipients. His art, his expression of God through the language of music, oh, how sweet a steward he was with it.
That happened three years ago, and it still makes me cry to think of it. Because that man in that small room was not trying to further his career by playing for those babies. He was simply gifting his art.
Sometimes the artist has to manage her art. She has to market it, promote it, sell it, professionalize it. Of course. But I don’t believe she ever has to ration it. If it is at all possible, make your art and be generous with the gift of it. Not to burn-out or to be taken advantage of. But to bless and to be a blessing.
This is beautiful, and such a powerful reminder! Thank you, Emily!
Alie´s last [type] ..Half a blissful year
One time when my #3 child was in college studying violin, we picked her up from an event in Washington DC. Coming down one of those HUGE escalators in the Metro system, her shoe got caught at the bottom and stopped the whole thing. We had to wait there for several hours for someone to come get her shoe out. While we were hanging around, she got out her violin and played. People are shocked and don’t know how to react to hearing beautiful music in a crowded, concrete underground subway station. I loved watching them.
Karen´s last [type] ..The sum total of my day
Great illustration!
I was reluctant at church this past year, because they wanted me to work with a microphone. For weeks I hedged—singing and playing quietly. I was not comfortable with the small imperfections I would hear. I talked to one of the ladies from the back of the sanctuary one day—someone who knows something about music—about my discomfort. She reminded me that many people out there (especially those who might not be musical) derive joy from our accompaniment, perfect or not.
Sometimes, because we are so tuned in to the intricacies of what we do—be that singing, playing writing—we are also acutely aware of the difference between what we are and what we want to be. Sharing can feel difficult. However, getting beyond that to be able to share our talent with others turns into a blessing for others and ourselves.
Thank you for always encouraging us through your work.
Shayne´s last [type] ..On Abundance
i loved this post. especially how you have encouraged us to be generous and not always calculated. honestly, i get the most joy out of creating to give. that space is where joy lives and is sustained for me.
ellen´s last [type] ..march- a theme on waiting
All I could think of was that perhaps using his violin was the only way the man could be able to serve in the nursery. I know that when I work with kids, my music comes out because kids respond to it and it keeps their attention! Someone once said to me that they hoped they weren’t expected to do all that music with the kids and I said no, that was the way I know how. Perhaps it was the same with this man: his art is so much a part of him that he needs it to serve even in the nursery.
Yes, the giving of the art as an extension of the blessing given to us. A great word, Emily. I needed to hear it.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Imperfect Prose Weeding in the Garden Repost
Thanks for this – so important to me…
Kelly Sauer´s last [type] ..A Restless Heart Losing a Life
I think if I could carry this thought with me daily, my heart would be so grateful. It’s so easy to sell out to the “marketplace” of the world we live in. But rather, to live out of that place to bless and to be a blessing, without all the strings attached. Thanks, girl.
melissa´s last [type] ..Some Say its Silly- I Say its Tradition
. . . I nearly didn’t publish this post b/c I didn’t want to appear as if I was saying we should never be compensated for our gifts. Certainly not. When something is valuable, it’s worth paying for. And I don’t think that is selling out to receive money for it. Rather, I’m just thinking today about the influence the artist has – whether her art is music or accounting – she has the power to bless.
Emily´s last [type] ..one way to keep your art alive
What a wonderful gift to those children! Thanks for posting this, it reminds me of why I write.
Rambling Heather´s last [type] ..Creating Cottage
Girl, that makes me gulp with conviction. At the start of a new day, a new week, I’m thinking of all the “unappreciated art” we moms serve up each and every day…and how it could use a heaping side of grace to go with it.
Scooper´s last [type] ..Decade Girl
OH. MY. Words.
What a tremendous blessing–to share your gift like that, without a need for recognition. What a wonderful treat for those children–to create and play magical and wonderful music for them while at play.
Thank you for this post.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Taking Time To Rest
What an awesome story! He was blessing and giving with his best gifts! I pray that I am able to give away my art freely, and that God will provide! And they know what they say about your passion. It is what you would do if no one ever paid you a dime to do so.
Thanks Emily!
Bernice
Living the Balanced Life´s last [type] ..Don’t live in default mode
“But since when does the effort of the artist depend upon the appreciation of the audience?”
THANK YOU! for writing this. I really needed to read this today.
Sharon@Hiking Toward Home´s last [type] ..Preparing To Celebrate
What a precious message! Remembering to simply gift our artistry keeps the passion alive as well, keeps it from becoming just work. I think my favorite way for me is making jewelry for foster care kids at Christmas. They can take so little with them from foster home to foster home and often times the transition comes in a second, unplanned and unprepared. Something little yet precious can be sweet. Thank you for the remind that it is never a whisper in a tornado or a drop of water in the Sahara. Every precious note, letter, paint stroke makes a difference.
Katie´s last [type] ..What Ive been meaning too tell you
This is absolutely beautiful! Wonderful post and awesome sentiment.
amen. the gifts. they are for a reason….we were pretty poor growing up and couldn’t give much to the church monetarily. but my mom, she’s an artist and would paint things and volunteer for arts and crafts at bible school. she was really up front with us about using gifts for the church, not just giving money.
kendal´s last [type] ..american idol
AMEN Emily. This post could be used as a devotional – God inspired.
hi emily :]
this has warmed my heart … so thankful to have read it so early on in the day.
♥
So beautiful– and what a lovely image to share!
Missy K´s last [type] ..The Relief of My Own Insufficiency
This made me cry. That man! With the violin! In the NURSERY!
I think I’m particular about who enjoys my art. And I never realized it before. But, I take some people’s compliments more seriously than others. Sometimes when someone compliments “my art” I say to myself, “what do they know?” I miss out on the blessing of kind words because I don’t think their opinion is worth anything.
I am such a snob.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..When Life Is Unpredictable- Messy and Reptilian
so glad I stoppped by today…perfect timing for an inspiring post. Thanks Emily!
This post is reminiscent of all of the recent risk-taking thinking I’ve been doing lately. I’m not doing the monetizing thing with my blog (not sure I even really get how it works), I don’t send out mass emails to everyone on my contacts list to let them know I’ve got one, and I don’t post updates on Facebook or even have a twitter account. I’m hesitant about who I share it with because I have this whole self-deprecating thing going on. But I love it. I really do-just the act of taking the time to write my thoughts out, and trying to write with clarity and sincerity to the absolute best of my ability and hoping to make connections in the great wide world here and there. I’ve always wanted to be some kind of writer, and for now, this is the kind.
Tracy´s last [type] ..Persuasion
But. If no one knows it’s there, then they cannot enjoy the gift. yes?
Emily´s last [type] ..one way to keep your art alive
I know! But it feels quite a bit safer anonymously sharing a little here and there with a crowd that already pretty much gets it. I try to branch out a little more each day…and your words very often encourage to me to do just that. So, thanks : – )
Tracy´s last [type] ..Persuasion
you are so very welcome. One simple step at a time is all that is required of us, isn’t it?
Emily´s last [type] ..one way to keep your art alive
I went to school to learn to be a better leader. To learn to draw others to God. I have moments — when I’m in the middle of poopie diapers, dirty laundry and messy kitchen — where I feel my talent and education are being wasted. This post reminded me that my ministry doesn’t have to always be outside the home. You’re upcoming book also encourages me that my ministry will not always be inside the home. Thanks for this, Emily.
Melissa Brotherton´s last [type] ..The Great Calzone Failure of ’01
This is beautiful! Such a gentle, yet powerful, reminder of being a humble steward of the gifts God has so richly blessed ME with, so that I can in turn bless OTHERS and share HIS fame.
Emily´s last [type] ..Interview with B re-Haiti
Emily, loved how you wrote about this and I’m glad you did hit publish. If anything, it makes us all feel a little bit more “normal” (whatever that is…ha!) for feeling that same way sometimes. I admire your honesty and I think everyone knows exactly what you’re trying to say..
Cat Moore´s last [type] ..Getting Settled
I really love this… I JUST had this same conversation (different details) with a woman, last week. We both owned local photography businesses until January, when my husband and I closed the doors on ours. Our reasons for closing were along the lines of a lost since of passion. We’d begun the business because we loved the art, the gift of sharing it with people and capturing “them” within the art… BUT, as time passed we realized it had become about balances, schedules consumed and lots of angst. The art was gone, and it was a job. We didn’t want that. if we were able to do a shoot for someone, we wanted it to be a blessing, not an income… And this other woman and i were talking about it because she is right there too. As an artist, it’s an important lesson but a vital one…
misty´s last [type] ..A gift- A thank you and a shoutout
Such a sweet happy message for a Monday morning. Thank you!
Joy @ B-Joyful´s last [type] ..tangle 11 and catching up
What a beautiful picture as I envision the scene in which you described. What a tremendously powerful and encouraging post to not “ration” what God has given, but instead to pour out every ounce… as a blessing and a gift. Ultimately giving all back to Him.
Looking for a way to do just this today. Thanks!
oh my goodness, i’m crying.
real tears.
i’ve been the wife of a youth pastor for our first 9 years in ministry….and we do arrive to the church with all of our kids following behind us….almost always someone would see me and grab a couple of the kids and get them where they needed to be…..thank God for those sweet people…who saw a needy, young mother and offered their hand to help.
we’ve been in college ministry now for almost 3 years, and part of me can’t wait to be back in church ministry one day……
this post hit me right where i needed to be hit today.
art is art.
gifts are gifts.
and wherever the lord has us in this season of life….none of it is wasted.
none of it.
i forget this so many days as i homeschool these kiddos.
This is excellent. One of my favorite posts. Golly, do we ration our art. What if we burn out? What if we get taken advantage of? Or… what if we just give? Beautifully written reminder of something so simple and so easily skewed.
I loved this post, too. I have always felt that I failed in some way because I didn’t write that book I was going to write – someday.
I have, however, journaled nearly everyday for the past 30 years.
Recently, the Lord told me that I was His Beloved Journalist.
Not quite what I had in mind, but prayers, tears, joy and even the weather are recorded.
Maybe for His eyes alone.
Paula´s last [type] ..Begin Again
Beautiful, Emily. Beautiful.
“Freely you have received, freely give,” comes to mind.
I just can’t help but think how filled up with His music that man must have been to give away with complete and generous abandon. He knew the source.
I, too, don’t have to parcel it out, because the One who gives this grace to me; the One who gives His treasures away…never runs dry. Never.
Yes, God is generous with his gifts, shouldn’t we be generous with ours? Love the take-away here, Emily; it’s so encouraging to those of us that are inching out of our small safe places. Bless you!
Heidi M´s last [type] ..What I Learned This Week
Gosh I love to come here. You are that for me, you know. The blessing.
Michelle @ Graceful´s last [type] ..Hear It on Sunday- Use It on Monday- Got Grace
Hi Emily, I am new to your blog – I can’t remember how I found you, but I had to leave a comment and tell you how much I loved your post today. I used to baby sit the 1-2 year olds at our church’s mom’s group that met in the mornings during the week. I run my own business (interior design) and had limited time, but I wanted to serve and I also wanted to get a chance to ‘hold a baby’ once a week because I needed to get ‘out of myself’ for a couple of hours a week. I found that my giving, as valuable as it was to the moms, was much more valuable to me. I am not saying it was not a sacrifice, because it was, but I was blessed far more than my blessing was extended. I think it is beautiful that the musician was willing to share his gift with those who don’t even know his talent but just that he is someone who comes to share his love. That’s what it is all about, isn’t it? LOVE your blog! Sherri
“…since when does the effort of the artist depend upon the appreciation of the audience?” Wow….one of those lines that makes you stop and reflect instantly on it’s truth. I need to memorize this….so true, but hard to live by when you are that artist.
Thank you for your words…as always.
What a beautiful picture of balancing our gifts! Very thought provoking. RQ
Robyn Q´s last [type] ..Off and Running
This gave me chills from head to toe. Gorgeous.
misha leigh´s last [type] ..On Peace And Lent All Year
I love this:
“But since when does the effort of the artist depend upon the appreciation of the audience?”
I needed that.
xo
So DIVINE and otherworldly!
Makes my heart smile to read this story you shared. Thank you!
Linsey
LLH Designs´s last [type] ..The Way We Eat- Part Deux
what an eye opening reminder! our art needs to be a blessing. it is something that should always comes first. we forget that. yet the word of God clearly instructs us to use our gifts to bring Him glory and to further His kingdom. it’s not about us. it never will be. and it never should be. it’s about Him.
i’m humbled by this and i thank you!
Zhanna´s last [type] ..All That Matters
What a wise and beautiful reminder! and what a wonderful man to be so willing to share his beautiful gift.
Pattyann´s last [type] ..Trusting the Lord
…And God heard and smiled with every note he played.
Kara´s last [type] ..Snails on My Couch Pillows
Thank you for those thoughts.
God gives us artistic talents and He gives us people to give them to. Who are we to not use those talents and who are we to deny someone whom He has chosen us to give the expression of that art to.
Naturally Carol´s last [type] ..Patches- Birds & Flowers!
Great words this morning!
Amandadod´s last [type] ..moments of motherhood
Nothing is ever wasted. Such truth!
And if everyone is gone and we’re the only ones left standing one day, will we keep up the art? Will we keep at it? Will we keep creating and worshiping? I often think that as I stand in church, worshiping with my whole heart, wondering about what brings so many people there and where their eyes flitter…will I worship with all my heart…
I am reminded of your words, Emily – that there is no new truth. And there isn’t. But it’s how it’s said that sometimes awakens new awarenesses of the truth and irons them onto our hearts.
Rich blessings to you…
Amy´s last [type] ..Envy and how it hurts
Sometimes, I view my art as a gas tank. There are times I just run out of gas and flop onto a chair to stare, zone out, refuel, and rest.
Nikole Hahn´s last [type] ..Part 2- It’s Not About Me
Oh Emily… this!
God gives the gift of the art… and a gift is meant to be given, the greatest blessing is to become the blessing. A gift always moves.
I am so grateful that you are a wise steward of the gifts He’s entrusted to you. You give your gift to move out into the world… and it moves deep.
*Thank you*…
Yes — you bless.
All’s grace,
Ann
Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience´s last [type] ..‘and whatever you do…’
I loved this, Emily. Ironically, I was just reading in the twentieth chapter of Acts tonight, where Paul said (verse 35) “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” I think the most beautiful thing is when artists (whatever their talent may be) give back to their community, and the world, in some way. In my experience, the more one gives, the more one has to give.
Dayle´s last [type] ..Book Giveaway
I just found you via Ann Voscamp’s blog- and watched your book promo video. My heart so resonated – you touched that very deep and tender place. I look forward with much anticipation to Sept., and in the meantime am loving the words you share here. Thank you for sharing your gift.
“But since when does the effort of the artist depend upon the appreciation of the audience?”
These words made me immediately think of motherhood. Too often I feel like my hard work is all for nought based on the feedback of complaints, laundry and toys scattered. That’s a form of pride I battle, “If they only knew how hard I work…”
Loved this. I have retreated from some of my usual activities for March, to regroup and refocus. Your point here today stirs into my thoughts in wonderfully helpful ways. Thank you.