As I walked out of Target, violin music reverberated its lovely sound. Plaintive yet smooth. Obviously a professional recording.
Or was it?
I walked toward my car and looked around the parking lot. Were those melodic notes coming from a car’s stereo? If so, where?
The music sounded too fresh, too lovely to be a tinny recording. Nothing I recognized. No classical memory from years of music training. A new song, perhaps written by an unknown artist.
Then I saw him. Farther east in the parking lot, a young man standing in the spring sunshine. His right arm moving up and down with the bow. His left hand forming the vibrato. Obviously a trained musician.
I drove toward him, drawn by more than curiosity. After the grey February where I struggled to find hope, this offering of loveliness felt like a divine gift.
A note beside him read, “Struggling student. Hard times. Can you help?”
The writer in me wondered at his story. Had he been evicted from his apartment or lost his “other” job like so many artists during the time of COVID?
Was he caring for an elderly parent and needed money for the necessities of healthcare? Were they hungry? Homeless?
Did the music of his soul need encouragement, new strings for his favorite violin? Tuition paid for theory classes?
A baritone voice in my soul, “Help him.”
“How much, Abba?”
“You have a ten in your billfold.”
I am not always a generous giver. Often I am more clearly defined as a saver, a keeper of what I have — just in case life sours.
Yet for this young talent, life was already sour — something not working well. He was giving the only thing possible — his music. For what? His next meal? A reason to stay in hope?
Oh, I know all the arguments the financially secure use: “He’ll probably spend it on drugs or booze. It’s a racket. Don’t fall for it.”
Yet the sadness in his brown eyes would not leave me alone. The song of his heart spoke directly to mine.
It was not my responsibility to monitor his spending habits. It was only my duty to obey and respond. This child of God needed help. I had a little I could spare.
His melancholy notes continued as I rolled down my window and handed him my ten.
“Thank you,” he said with genuine gratitude.
“God bless you.”
As I drove away, I prayed the violinist would be okay, eat well that night, pay whatever bills were outstanding.
Then clearing the tears out of my throat, I thanked God for the beauty of music, for a stranger who parked near Target and shared the melody of his heart.
Hope floated through the afternoon air and landed joyfully in my soul.
©2021 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
If you don’t have a violinist in your Target parking lot, maybe this e-book will help. Finding Hope When Life Unravels
Beautiful story, beautifully told. Thanks.
I appreciate your encouraging comment. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your hope-filled messages. We received your thank you note and the sunflower seeds; I sowed the seeds in the large wildflower patch, along the edge of our driveway, and the overnight rain will hopefully begin the germination cycle. Looking forward to warm, sunny days when we can gather on the patio and share updates on life and living. Speaking of which…we are able to entertain guests in a socially distanced way, would like to have you come over if you are able; daffodils are in bloom. Not sure from Janet’s reports whether your back pain prevents an outing to Lawrence. Let us know. Steve and Janet
Sent from my iPad
>
So glad the seeds arrived safely. And thanks for the invite to visit. I get my 2nd shot April 3, so I will wait until after that to schedule a visit. The hip / back is still a problem, but I am hoping for recovery.
Sharing is such fun and you do it so well!
Thank you, Sally ! Right back at ya’ !
God is so good to allow us to share what we have. He said something so similar to me during Thanksgiving one year. https://suzanklassen.com/2016/11/22/gods-nudge/
Wonderful post, SuZan. Thanks for sharing that link. I often think of the verse in Psalm 36 – “Feast on the abundance of God’s house.” It’s so wonderful when God directs us how to give.
Thanks for sharing this lovely story, RJ.
Amy
Appreciate the comment, Amy. Thanks.
You probably provided the hope that this artist needed to continue his beautiful music for days to come. So glad you listened to and obeyed the Still, Small Voice.
Thanks, Shanna. It was a good moment for both of us.