My sister-in-law, Valli, and her husband, Brad, have adopted four
children, but their love of children is so strong that it has motivated
them to foster more than one hundred others. They often seek out
the unadoptable kids, the ones with physical or mental challenges.
In their large stone Kentucky farmhouse they love these children
back to life. This is Valli and Brad’s “music,” and it is a beautiful song
indeed.
My niece, Julie Salisbery, is graduating this summer from medical
school. Her goal is to spend part of every year doing short-term
medical mission work in Central and South America. She is ready to
do what it takes to “sing this song” of ministry to God’s glory.
Our friend Gaston Irby is bursting with the creativity of decorat-
ing. He practically dreams the colors and patterns and shapes that
make life more beautiful.
On Sunday mornings when Sharissa Mainwaring picks up her vi-
olin, I know I’m in for a worship experience. She plays straight from
the heart and makes our worship team unique.
I don’t know what your inner music is. It may be a warm apple
pie shared with a neighbor, coaching a neighborhood basketball
team, or letters written to shut-ins. I do know that every gift we offer
in love is like a prayer. Every gift we send out into the world is music
to our Father’s ears.
O Father, I praise you for giving us “songs to sing” that enrich our
lives and connect us to your kingdom. Make my life a prayer to you.
Bring forth the inner music of my gifts so that they may bring glory
to you and be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.128 CLAIRECLONINGER