The Touch of the Master's Hand

Many years ago I read this poem, and memorized it. I felt the words speak to my soul. The masses may judge on the outward appearance, but God sees with different eyes and hears with different ears, and HE knows the intrinsic worth and value. It's been years since I thought of this poem, and once again it has touched me, on a different level. How appropriate to relate this to our children with special needs. Many might view the child as less than desirable...but oh the amazing change that can be wrought by the Touch of the Master's Hand!

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three",

But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand.

by Myra Brooks Welch

So grateful for His Touch and

Donna

Passion

Everyone needs passion in their lives. I'm not necessarily talking about the romantic kind. Thought that is nice. But I'm speaking of really loving something. Pursuing it with all your heart. Thinking about it. Dreaming about it. Talking about it. Living it.

I've grown to admire people who are passionate about something. I remember watching my son's Kindergarten teacher working with children.

She was passionate about teaching and about "her" kids. She made each child feel like they were the most important person in the world. She constantly tried to improve her effectiveness in shaping her students.

Her enthusiasm was contagious!

My son is passionate about golf. My husband and I cannot figure out where in the world this passion came from, because neither of us care a hoot for any sports and less for golf. But, OK. He loves it! The first time he went Putt Putt he got 2 hole in ones. He was only 5. So what that the ball ricocheted off of a tree and a bench, but ended up in the cup? It was a hole in one!

So we have used his love for golf to inspire him to work towards compliance. Non-compliance is a major hurdle for Jonathan, and we are always looking for motivation. He's earned golf many times this year. I think we are trying to play every putt putt golf course in Pigeon Forge. However, the school set up an end of the year golf excursion for Jonathan and the PRINCIPAL!!

Jonathan won the required amount of tokens, so the last week of school he was escorted to a REAL golf course and got to play. Here are a few pictures of that remarkable day.

Got to marvel at it. How did an 8 year old boy decide golf was his passion? Maybe I should change his name to Tiger! I'm reminded of a verse in the Bible that says "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

Have a passionate day!

Donna

It IS About Grace...

God's grace.

We know that our lives depend upon it.
We realize that we are still here because of it.
Basking in the knowledge that God's grace has transformed me continues to bring joy to me. The realization of what I deserve, and the understanding of what I've received is beyond awesome.
Because it is by GRACE we have been saved, through faith. Not of works so no man can boast.

So, this being my first real post, I just wanted to touch on the grace issue, since I am continually amazed by it! : )

Donna