Sunday Music with the Mechams

I asked Jeff to sing this song for Sunday Music with the Mecham's. He is always such a good sport. I am spoiled, because I assume that I can just make a request and they will instantly play or perform without having to practice.

I am the Sunday school teacher for the 17 year olds, and today our lesson today was titled "Seek Ye Earnestly The Best Gifts". Music has been a gift in our house every since the kids were little. Jeff started with Piano and Mandy, and Jake have followed suit with the violin and cello. Tim does not seem to have the desire to pursue music, and after fighting over piano, and guitar lessons, with him we came to the realization that it is not something that we could force him to do. The lesson today seemed to touch on this. In life we are all given many different gifts, whether we turn them into talents is up to us. With Jeff, Amanda and Jake they have all gone through phases where they wanted to quit their music studies and Mom was the enforcer to make sure that they stayed with it. Eventually arrived at a point that they found that they actually liked making music, and have used it in many situations to offer service to others. Their gift is Music, where Tim has developed other Talents. Tim is a very dedicated and loyal friend. He is motivated with his sports and has made the commitment to train hard and condition so that he can continue to improve as he gets older. In school Tim has worked just as hard to maintain good grades. He does not get straight A's, but works hard to maintain high scores. I admire his work ethic and know that if he continues he will go far in life.

When it comes to music, Tim and I are the two in the family that do not seem to share in the talent pool. But as the lesson in Sunday School pointed out, there is nothing wrong with that. Every gift or talent that we have can be used to make the family stronger. If one of us are weak in one area, it is usually balanced out by a strength in another area. I watch Tim run track this year, and although he has never competed in this event he knows that every meet he needs to work harder to improve.

Although soetimes we strugle to recognize what our gifts are, we all have them. Kathy has always been able to act as a peacemaker, I have always tried my best to be a provider. I don't want to embarass the kids anymore by stating what I think some of their gifts are, but there are many that they posess. One of the quotes from the lesson was from Marvin J Ashton. I found it very insightful. It said some “less-conspicuous gifts” include “the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; … the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 23; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).

Each of us are blessed with a gift, talent, ability. We can look at others that we admire and assume that they have been given more, or somehow things are easier for them. The reality, I believe, is that they have found a talent and developed it, only to find that it opens the door for other gifts to be revealed and developed.