Many years ago, there was a commercial about a couple who took their young son to watch a famous pianist. When they looked around, the boy was gone. He had made his way to the grand piano on stage and began to play "Chopsticks." You can imagine the horror of the parents. Well, it turns out that the story from the commercial was actually a true story.

The Polish composer and pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski was scheduled to perform in one of the great American music halls, entertaining the social elite of that city. After sitting longer than his patience could bear, the young boy slipped away from his parents. The beautiful Steinway piano sat alone on the stage, captivating the boy. Before anyone realized what was happening, the boy climbed onto the stage, ascended the piano stool, and played a rousing round of “Chopsticks.”

You can imagine how horrified both the parents and the audience were. What would the famous Paderewski think, much less do to the little boy? The murmurs that spread throughout the auditorium sounded like a swarm of bees, quickly erupting into a roar of disapproval as the crowd demanded the removal of the child.

Backstage, Paderewski, hearing the disruption, made his way quickly to the stage, discerned the cause of the ruckus, and raced out to join the boy at the piano. Reaching around the boy from behind, Paderewski improvised his own countermelody to this young boy's “Chopsticks.” As the impromptu duet continued, the master whispered in the child’s ear, “keep going…don’t quit, son…don’t stop…don’t stop.”

You and I may never play alongside a grand master piano player, but every day of our lives as believers in Jesus, we can be a duet with the true Master! Today, as you go about your day, know that whatever happens, our loving Master has His love wrapped around you and is whispering, “Keep going…don’t stop…don’t give up…I am with you!”

¹⁷     The Lord your God is in your midst, 

a mighty one who will save; 

        he will rejoice over you with gladness; 

he will quiet you by his love; 

        he will exult over you with loud singing. 

            Zephaniah 3:17

Blessings on your faith journey,

Gene