Dear Clients and Friends, One
event years ago taught me that no matter how big a mess our lives are in, there
is a powerful force that turns pain and turmoil into lovely blessings. Please forgive me for sending one of my
earlier law letters about that event. I hope
it gives you the hope that its memory often gives me. We will get through this.
THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS
WENT OUT IN CHAPEL HILL
May
1, 2007
One of my dearest friends, Jeannie,
was the music minister for a local church.
She had given me the score to a beautiful hymn from Australia. After working on it for months, I could
finally play it pretty well on my harp.
We decided that I would join with some professional musicians to play at
her church’s Easter service.
I was very nervous. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of
the other musicians. I also knew that
the church would be packed. The Easter
service is matched in attendance only by the Christmas service. I wanted to do well for the congregants who
would be there and I really didn’t want to let down my friend. She would be singing that lovely hymn solo
while I accompanied her on the harp. I
practiced hour after hour.
Shortly before Easter, Jeannie
called to tell me that the priest had decided that the majority of the service
would take place with the lights dim. I
wasn’t to worry, though, as I would be provided with a musician’s light. I would have no trouble seeing.
We met for our first
practice. The lights were dimmed and the
tiny light worked well enough. This was
going to be a piece of cake. A few days
later, we all showed up for the service.
With our instruments tuned, we were ready to go. Jeannie seated me between the piano player,
who for some reason had a much larger light than the rest of us, and the
cellist. The church lights were low. The people quietly entered the sanctuary, lit
candles, and took their seats.
Everything was going to be perfect.
As the priest began speaking, the
person in charge of the lights began to turn them lower and lower. Soon, the lights weren’t just dim – they were
out. Only then did I realize that there
were no windows in this sanctuary. I
couldn’t see my hand in front of my face, much less the harp. My musician’s light, the size of one light on
a Christmas tree, did nothing but cast shadows on the harp strings. I was in really big trouble.
I leaned over to the piano
player.
“Hey!” I whispered loudly. “I
can’t see my strings! You’re going to
have to play that hymn for me.”
“No.” She argued.
“The intro sounds much better on the harp.”
There was no time for a musical
debate. The priest shot us a “hairy eyeball”
for talking.
“OK”, I answered. “I’ll play the intro and then you come
in. Deal? Really, I can’t see the strings.” She nodded in agreement as I tried to figure
out how I could possibly play the intro.
Some of the most famous harpers in history were blind. I was now going to join their ranks, if only
for one tune.
My cue came and I launched into
the beginning of the hymn. Miraculously,
I pulled off the introduction. I sighed
in relief. Jeannie began to sing and I
expected to hear the piano jump in. But,
no. The piano player was looking up to
the ceiling of the sanctuary, swaying back and forth. She was apparently possessed by some spirit. That’s why she didn’t see Jeannie’s eyes bugg
out as she continued to sing solo.
“Hey!” I whispered very loudly. “Now would be a real good time to jump in.”
“Oh, yeah,” the pianist said as
she snapped out of her reverie and began playing.
The remainder of the service went
off rather well, although the violinist also gave up trying to play. Her light was no better than mine. Afterwards, the congregation began to file
out. An obviously emotional woman pushed
through the crowd and as she got closer to me, I could see that she’d been
crying. Really, I thought, we weren’t
that bad.
“I now know why the angels play the
harp. That was the most beautiful thing
I’ve ever heard.” She reached to hold my hand.
“And the way you and the singer and the piano player arranged that last
hymn – your timing was perfect. It was
just lovely. Thank you so much.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m glad you noticed that. We worked for hours just to get it
right. Thank you so much.” I answered.
There was no way I was going to
ruin that lady’s worship experience. For
my part, I was feeling fairly emotional that night too. Some One had bailed me out of a potential
disaster. As so often happens in life,
there is a power out there that can turn even our biggest problems into something
beautiful and meaningful. That power is
with us now.
Just listen for it.