Bragging time- I'm so very proud of my middle son!
But, before I brag about why, I'd better explain:
We're a musical family and all though he has easily and almost instantly learned the piano, recorder and now the violin, he struggled with singing in tune and keeping rhythm. That is until one day, last October, he surprised me out of the blue. It was a typical cool Autumn day in Tucson, I had just picked him up from school and the rest of the story goes something like this...
"So, today mom, when I was in OMA, we were learning a new song. I was singing around and I started to sing like you..."
My thoughts were, "Ooookay, singing like me. Hummm, oh, probably like when I mess around and fake sing Opera. He was doing that in class? OH dear..."
I replied, "Really? Singing like me huh? Ok, lets hear it."
What happened next caused my jaw to literally drop and I'm pretty sure my foot slightly hit the break because I was unsure of what I was hearing. From out of his sweet mouth was the purest tone, strong and even had vibrato in just the right parts. He sang 'The Headless Horseman' and when he was done, I found myself wanting to hear him sing it over and over. I couldn't get over how awesome he sounded. Of course I wanted to share his new found talent with anyone and everyone but...Dun DUN DUNNNN- he burst into tears of embarrassment and had really bad stage fright...even for his dad. It took him 30 minutes plus hand holding and coaxing to get him to be able to do it.
I decided I needed to talk to him, to help him understand his new found talent and to help him find confidence in it. I reminded him that the talents and gifts we receive, come from our Father in Heaven. So, I sat down with my arm around him and said, "Son, Heavenly Father gives us these things so that we can learn, grow,to develop ourselves and to become even better and more God like but most importantly, he gives us these gifts so that we can help and bless the lives of others by serving them. What would happen if you didn't use your toys, books or clothes I have given you?"
"...They would just get old and dusty...."
"Would they be better off with another child who would use them?"
Quietly he nodded his head, yes.
"Do you think that Heavenly Father would feel the same way about the gifts that he's given you?
Again, a quiet but thoughtful nod, yes.
After that, I hugged him and left him alone to see what he would make of this...Until-
December came and I would have only one practice to get the Ward Choir set with their Christmas music. I was desperate to find someone to fill in for part of a song I was going to have a few children sing. James was going to be one of these children, but there was no time to teach any of them and so, it was going to be left to James.
I gently approached him, completely expecting another anxious, tearful response from him. I didn't want to pressure him and felt sure that I would just have to find another way to get the song done, still...I felt that I should ask him.
"Son?"
"Yes, mom?"
"I have a song I was going to have you and some other kids sing, but there's no time for them to learn it. I really need it done. Do you think you could do it?"
Instantly his response was warm and excited, " Okay mom. Sure, I could do that!"
"That means you'll be singing it all by yourself..."
"Yeah, okay!"
I was shocked!
Apparently, once again, my son listened to what I had to say and had found his own courage to apply the lesson to himself. He amazes me as to how mature he is spiritually. I still marvel that he only had to hear the song once before he had it polished and memorized. I can't even memorize a song that quickly!
On the day of performance, he sang his solo so very sweetly and purely. I later asked him how sharing his talent made him feel...
"So, how does it feel to share your talent and serve?"
"Oh, it feels so good. Heh."
"And how do you think your Father in Heaven feels about you doing it?"
"Oh, he's very very very proud and happy with me."
"It's a pretty awesome feeling, huh son?"
He responded with big smiles and much nodding of the head.
Many came to tell me how much it meant to them, how it touched them to hear him sing. He too had lots of people tell him how well he did and how much they enjoyed his singing.
His response to his success?..."Mom, there's so many people telling me like, "good job" and stuff...I'm going to be famous!"
Well...at least he's willing to share his new talent now. I'm so very proud of how far he has come. Well done again son, well done.
