As I stood in the backstage shadows of Lindner Theater, Armleder elementary students filed in through the small stairwell to make their way to Stage Right. One after the other, they walked through the doorway, each so palpably adorable in their own way. Jim Jung, Theater Manager, held the door open, extending a hand and a warm smile as they passed by, as if to say, “Welcome!” Some gave him a high-five as they bounced in, some took his hand as if they were princesses being escorted from a carriage, and some looked at him quizzically as if to say, “Who are you and where am I going?”
After what seemed like 200 children (in reality 57), the procession ended and the risers on stage were full. The children focused their eyes on their music teacher, the lovely Miss Adele Enns. As the curtains opened, you could almost hear them take a collective breath and watch Miss Enns take her seat at the piano.
What happened next was something so precious and yet so powerful that I openly admit it brought tears to my eyes. The song the children sang was called “Let Me Be an Instrument,” and it was written by the children themselves!
How could this be, when they are just first, second, and third-grade students? Back in January, Miss Enns talked with these young musicians about how God has called us to be an instrument of His praise. Miss Enns explains, “We took some quiet time with God to reflect and pray about how we can be His instruments and share His love through journaling and written prayers.” Then she took those prayers and turned them into song lyrics.
In February, Miss Enns revealed to the students that their words had been turned into a song, specially composed for them to share at ArtBeat. The students were thrilled!
As they performed this song for the first time at ArtBeat, it’s no wonder their voices soared and their faces beamed as they sang their own, sincere prayers. Clearly, they weren’t singing to their parents or friends or teachers, they were singing to the Lord. It was almost as if I could feel the love in their little voices, and for a moment I thought, This sounds like a piece of Heaven.
Psalm 96:1 says, “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!” What a beautiful thing that our children are being taught how to do this. Miss Enns taught them that no matter how big, small, young, or old we are, we can all be an instrument of God’s praise.
But there’s more than one way to be an instrument of praise to the Lord. ArtBeat is a great way to see that demonstrated. From the student playing her literal instrument to bless others, to the volunteer serving food at the Bistro, to the alumni who returned to ArtBeat as demonstrating artists in order to bless their community, they are all allowing themselves to be used as instruments (tools) for God. Just like the elementary choir voices, these offerings soar like little prayers up to God’s ears, and I like to think they make Him smile.
Let us be instruments, CHCA, at ArtBeat and every day. Let us bring a little piece of Heaven to the people around us, no matter how big, small, young, or old we are.
Photos courtesy of Tammy Rosenfeldt
