In these parts there is a TV channel available that is called RFD TV that has shows that are so refreshing and comfortable to watch, especially for an old man that loves music (as y'all know by now). They have shows like Larry's Diner which is a down home show that highlights various music groups and the show host Larry, always starts the show with a Scripture of the day. Now isn't that wonderful? The show is on at 10pm on Sunday. It is preceded by several other shows like the Marty Stewart Show which is fantastic. Marty Stewart has re-runs too, and one is on tonight that I haven't seen. Tonight they have Merl Haggard highlighted. Our Saturday evening is filled with wonderful American music shows even including "Molly B's Polka Party" which highlights Polka bands throughout the country. So it is a night filled with several styles of music and comedy and just "feel good" stuff to take the edge off of every day life.
My life is a wonderful life filled with wonderful things that, as I look back on it, is intertwined with music. I have never been what I would call a professional quality guitar player, but through the years of singing, and playing and trying different styles of music with different instruments, it has been an enjoyable journey. I have a mandolin hanging on my office wall and my new Dobro style style guitar sitting proudly in its new stand, ready for me to practice on it at a moments notice. My Acoustic, Sunday-go-to-church guitar is in the case ready to go at a moments notice. Right now Marty Stewart is playing with Merl Haggard and is playing a mandolin. Makes me want to get mine off the wall and practice it some more.....maybe tomorrow I will have time. There seems to be still so much to do and by the end of a busy day, I have not gotten around to practicing on the new instruments! darn! It seems to be a priority challenge. ha ha
So much enjoyment comes from creating things for personal enjoyment. If by doing whatever it is that you enjoy, will bring enjoyment to others, it makes the effort even better. Music is something that can be enjoyed by many people. When learning an instrument, sometimes to family listening in, can be a moderately painful experience, but time will heal those memories and before you know it, there is actually some recognizable music coming out of the long hours of practice. I feel sorry for Mom when I was first learning to play. I practiced in my upstairs bedroom in an old house. After a very short time of my first practice, Mom told me to put a pillow under my foot! Seems my foot keeping beat was resonating directly downstairs.
I have a good friend that comes over on a semi regular basis so that I can share some things I have learned about guitar playing. Randall is a good student, and is learning several instruments at the same time, so his work is cut out for him. I will shortly be teaching several folks at church how to play the guitar as well. It is going to be a good time! I am excited about sharing what God has blessed me with, and that is the love of music making. I teach the basics of what I have learned about the make up of music, and how to play the basic chords, how normal music is "built" in an order that can be understood and converted to a tone level (key) that can be sung without hurting yourself. So in the next several days, in between helping Pat with the big Garage Sale July 4, 5, 6, I will be busy putting together my study guides for my new guitar players to use. I pray to God that what I do will be to His benefit and praise.
So when you have found a craft or something else that you have developed that you enjoy, consider sharing it with others to enjoy as well. Pat is a crochet person. She has a wonderful talent of making beautiful afghans and has started a prayer shawl ministry at the church I was pastor of a while back. She was teaching others how to crochet, and they had many hours of learning how to crochet and make prayer shawls for others. What a wonderful ministry! So I think that everyone has a gift, a talent. If we are to keep that talent to ourselves, it is of no use to have. We MUST share our gifts that God has provided to us. For some it might be LISTENING. What a wonderful gift to share with others is the ability to visit with a shut-in and sit and listen to them. A lot of times when we are sick or healing from and accident, a visit from someone is just what is needed. Not to be entertained, but to listen, with an occasional word or to to keep the visit going on for a bit. You know what I mean. I remember when I was recovering from a hospital stay and now at home, the church folks took turns coming over with lunch for me. The food was alway great, but I learned that as good as the food was, it was the preparers presence that fed my soul. It was the fact that they had prepared a meal for me and brought it to me and then spent some time with me to visit. So being a listener is a GREAT gift to share.
Whatever it is that you have been blessed with, go out and find a way to share your gift. I know a lot of talented folks that share their gifts with others. My very good FaceBook friend Chuck (Doc) Williams lives in Vegas and I got to see him for the first time on our last trip out there a couple months ago. He is a very talented writer and I have read his books. He shares his life through the printed word. He is very good at what God has blessed him with. Every day I look forward to see what he is up to for that day and what stories he will tell. He uses Facebook a lot like I use this Blog...to share experiences and thoughts. I guess that's what I like about him....not only are we former seafarers, but we are two old men writing about what bugs us and basically whatever we are inspired to talk about at any given moment! So don't be afraid to share what you have been blessed with....it may help someone that really needs to see, hear, or feel your talent in whatever fashion you decide to share it. You will be rewarded, take my word for it...It has for me.
Keep singing, Keep praying, Keep smiling,
Blessings
Gary
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