Image courtesy of Flickr user: joshsemans

My fingers thump heavy and off-beat on the piano keys.

"Can you hear the rhythm?" asks Leonard, our patient piano teacher, as he plays a simplified "Habernera" from the opera Carmen. Link to hear an instrumental version of "Habernera."

Our daughter finishes her lesson and now it is my turn. I am an adult intermediate-beginner.

My ears strain to hear the rhythm as he plays so my fingers can copy. I want to focus on technique, but my ears must first hear before I can play.

Leonard reassures me that if I practice, I can learn to hear the rhythm even if it doesn't come naturally to me. We practice a clapping exercise that works with children to teach rhythm.

When I relax and turn off the critical editor in my head, and suspend judgment, I clap the correct rhythm.

Back in high school, I took lessons for a few years until I was forced to quit. Now years later, God has gifted me to sit behind a piano again.

I am rusty and rhythmically-challenged.

So I will slow down and practice trying to hear the song's rhythm. Isn't that what I have had to learn to hear God's voice over the lies?

To slow down. To listen. To practice.

None of us are naturally tuned to hear God's words.

Isn't that why the apostle Paul said that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23) and the prophet Isaiah said that we all like sheep have gone astray?

Isn't that why Jesus had to die on the cross and rise again? We need re-created hearts that can be tuned to hear and respond to His voice of love.

I sense the gentle Spirit nudge me. That's what you've been doing...learning to hear the rhythm of My Song so you can play in tune with Me.

All that fumbling and stumbling that you feel like you've been doing. Bumbling along. It is not wasted. It was practice and learning to hear so you could dance.

Dear friend, please don't give up on the practice/process of learning to hear His voice through the Bible, praying and sharing community with others.

And hearing His voice in a saffron finch's song or a song that touches your heart.

Relax, Jesus took the judgment we deserve (Romans 3:23-25). There is no condemnation, only loving correction and an invitation to the dance.

What helps you to hear His voice of love and truth?

What is He saying to you today? Are you tuned in?

Thank you for reading and/or sharing. I am always appreciative.

Giving thanks with Ann:

• For recent piano lessons;
• For the gift of music;
• For His Spirit to teach and guide me;
• Teaching our girl how to cut mushrooms;
• Being able to clean the stovetop;
• For Chuck Colson's life of service and how he said he did it because he was grateful for what Jesus did for him;

Link to a tribute to Chuck Colson (Founder of Prison Fellowship)  here by Dennis Rainey.

• Being able to talk with hubby in-between working the concession stand for our girl's school musical;
• Girl having fun in the musical;
• Finding a lost library book after praying as it was due;
• For friends: in-person and online;
• How praying changes our lives and the lives of those we pray for;
• Praying friends;
• His gentle conviction of a sinful attitude; His forgiveness when I confess and change;
• For Pastor Scott's sermon on Sunday and how it affirms what God has been teaching me.

Linking with sweet friend Laura for a play date

and giving thanks with wise Ann 

and talented L.L. Barkat

© Soul Stops/Dolly Lee 2012.   Limited License: Okay for noncommercial use if you attribute this post to me and link to my permalink and blog.