It’s no secret that most people in my family are great cooks, but that doesn’t apply to me. When we have family gatherings, I’m usually asked to bring the paper goods! I blame this, of course, on my parents. When I was a small child, they allowed me to start taking piano lessons. While some children “kind of like” playing the piano, I loved it! That’s really all I wanted to do—play the piano! But what does this have to do with cooking? While I was practicing piano, Mom was teaching my little sister to cook. My job was to help clean up afterward. Consequently, I can play the piano and my sister is an excellent cook!
We lived in a tiny house and the old upright was situated in the dining room. The room was so small that my little brothers had to sit on the piano bench during meals. The dining room and kitchen were separated only by a bar, so while Mom and my sister were preparing meals, they’d listen to me practice. As my piano playing ability increased, I started learning to play hymns. My ability increased dramatically during this time because I loved playing those familiar hymns. And while I practiced, Mom, my sister, and sometimes Dad, would sing along.
My parents knew that singing hymns is one of the most effective ways to memorize Biblical truths, and they knew we’d need to remember these truths as we went through life. Here are words from a hymn that I’ve remembered many times when life has been difficult: “Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Savior. There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not. As Thou hast been, thou forever will be.” I love knowing that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Life’s circumstances may change, but He will always be the same and He will never fail us!
Another hymn that holds deep meaning for me is It Is Well: “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” I’m so thankful that we can have the assurance that things are good between God and us, no matter what’s happening. How can we know “it is well?” By trusting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
My parents taught me many things, but nothing more valuable than the importance of having scripture in my heart. I love the scripture on good days, and I cling to it on difficult ones! Need some inspiration today? Listen to a hymn!
Susan Easttom, Director of Family Ministries
