After a courageous year following a severe stroke, my beloved entered eternal life earlier this month. He was my love, my joy, and my blessing. His presence is missed, his memory is precious, and his faith gives me hope that he is home in heaven. My faith gives me assurance of a reunion when God chooses to bring me home.

Today I heard a radio message by Dr. David Jeremiah, who shared a story about a little boy and a concert musician. I want to remember the musician’s words to the boy: “Don’t quit; keep playing.”

The boy had slipped away from his grandmother just before a concert. When the curtain opened he was seated at the grand piano and played a simple tune, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

The concert pianist quickly appeared on stage to offer him these instructions: “Don’t quit; keep playing.” The pianist then joined the boy at the piano, began accompaniment by adding first bass notes to the boy’s simple tune to develop a beautiful arrangement then ending with a concert-worthy finale on the treble keys all while adding to the boy’s novice efforts. The astounded and appreciative audience clapped their praises for the impromptu surprise melody and the difference of a master’s touch they had witnessed.

This story offers a spiritual lesson beyond that of a master pianist and a boy who followed his instructions of “Don’t quit; keep playing.”

A loving and wise God has provided instructions in His Word, the Holy Bible. We have only to follow His instructions for Him to bless with something beautiful in His time and in His way.

I choose to intentionally follow these verses: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5,6)

I expect my next walk through this life will be much different from that of the past 35 years and more difficult in many ways, but I will not be alone. The same loving Father Who took care of us during the past year will continue to be with me. I am assured that He will never leave me nor forsake me as promised: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them for the LORD your God is the One Who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

My desire is to walk closely to Him, to follow His steps, and to let Him direct my way to keep my path straight. I pray you will do the same, dear reader. With God’s help   and strength I will not quit, I will keep playing the music, and I will continue to live with hope.

Brian Hobbs, Editor of Oklahoma’s “The Baptist Messenger,” collected pearls of wisdom and gems of thought to share. The quotes he shared with graduating students give hope, and I want to share these today.

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” (King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 7:8)

”Whoever in middle age attempts to realize the wishes and hopes of his early youth invariably deceives himself. Each ten years of a man’s life has its own fortunes, its  own hopes, its own desires.” (Johann von Goethe, poet and writer)

”I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.” (C. S. Lewis, Christian writer)

“In our greed for more we may lose what we already have.” (Aesop, author of Aesop’s Fables)

”Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” (President Ronald Reagan)

”Having first gained all you can and secondly saved all you can, then give all you can.” (John Wesley, Christian evangelist)

“Never never never never give up.” (Prime Minister Winston Churchill)

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (The Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:33)

“It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself a new one till you have read an old one in between.” (C. S. Lewis, Christian writer)

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” (President George Washington)

“Time moves so quickly and no matter who we are or what we have done, the time will come when our life will be over. As Jesus said, ‘As long as it is day we must do the work of Him Who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work.’” (Billy Graham, Christian evangelist)….

Thank you, Brian Hobbs, for sharing thought-provoking and challenging wisdom. May graduates — and I —acknowledge the pearls and gems you share and benefit from their wisdom and valuable insights. After all…“How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” (Proverbs 16:16)

For the complete article entitled “Dear Class of 2022,” see Hobbs’ column, “Sword & Trowel,” in The Baptist Messenger newspaper (May 24, 2022).