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My church’s Prime Timers’ Activities Director called and asked, “Would you please present a musical program for our meeting next month?”

I arrived on the day of the performance with a repertoire in hand. Rather than set up my own instrument and portable speakers, I resolved to play the praise team’s keyboard in the fellowship hall. I heard God say, “Watch out. It’s time to learn another lesson.”

The keyboard had several troubling issues. The black-and-white keys were not “touch sensitive.” Volume control through my fingers was impossible. Also, the sustain pedal inched away on the slippery stage as I patted it with my right foot. Additionally, the music stand, its base a makeshift anchor for the sustain pedal, wobbled away as I tapped it. I clumsily reached to turn music pages as the stand slid beyond my grasp. Further, the stool I perched on scooted backward as I pushed the pedal forward with my right foot, forcing me to balance precariously on my left leg. And if that wasn’t enough, the keyboard lacked a monitor speaker at my feet. I could only hear music through the overhead speakers.

Several times between musical selections, I rose from the keyboard to readjust the wayward sustain pedal. It was a comedy-act concert, a humbling situation that taught me many lessons.

Like that sustain pedal, my thoughts try to slip away from God as I get older. My poverty presents itself clearly in every situation I face. I am thankful our heavenly Father is not surprised at our insufficiencies. He is never out of reach.

I will grasp and hold on to Jesus and His loving power today. I hope you will too.