The Reply

 You all know by now how much I appreciate The Piano Guys. If you read my previous post, you will know that I mustered up my courage and composed an email for Steven Sharp Nelson. Who knew such a busy guy would have time to reply? But reply he did. So after a long and hectic day of work Thursday, I came home to this!
 


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steven Sharp Nelson <steve@stevensharpnelson.com>
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014
Subject: 
To: Cheri Baer <cheri.baer95@gmail.com>

Dear Cheri,

Thank you so much for your email. I have read and thought about it so many times. It has inspired me so much. I loved how you described feeling the Spirit and the love of God as "that funny ache inside." I know exactly what you mean. I wish more people could feel that too. Music is a perfect way to spread that feeling. Cheri, I wish I could tell you how many times I have felt like I'm not a very good cellist. I still feel it all the time. But I have noticed that this feeling of inadequacy is the opposite feeling of the "funny ache inside." And that tells me it's not from God. I believe there is opposition in all things. Were it not for the bitter how could we enjoy the sweet? Were it not for the moments of self-doubt how could we know what faith feels like? When I have those dark moments I pray with all the strength I have that I can feel the "funny ache" instead - that I can feel the love of my Heavenly Father. It works every time. Sometimes not right away, but it always works. I have 4 children. I don't want them to feel self-doubt and sadness, although I know that's necessary for their growth, I want to help them to experience joy. It is the same with our Father in Heaven. He wants us to learn and grow and will let us go through trials but He is always there to help if we ask Him. I've also learned that faith is a principle of action, not just thought. So when I pray for help to get out of a "I'm not a good cellist" moment - I try to do something for someone else. The minute we serve another is the same minute we forget about our own problems and weaknesses. Something tells me that you already are a natural at this. Music is such a great way to serve. I've found that I feel best about my cello skills when I'm using them to bless the lives of people around me.

You don't have to be perfect. I am so far from it. We all are. Even the people that we think are perfect aren't even close. But life isn't about perfection. I look at my cellos. What makes them beautiful are their imperfections. I honestly have NEVER had a perfect concert - getting all the notes right. But I've had lots of concerts that felt like a piece of heaven, and that is a much better feeling than getting notes right. Music should always be about joy, praising God, communing with others soul to soul, rather than about what notes were right and what notes weren't. I'm so glad this is the case or else I wouldn't be able to be a performing cellist! I am just too ADHD to perfect everything!

I too wish we could sit and chat, Cheri. I know that God loves you. He loves you for your good heart, child like faith, and desires to make a difference among all His children. Thank you for making a difference in my life.

Sincerely,

#

Letter to the Cello Guy

Dear Mr. Nelson,
     I remember hearing "Love Story Meets Viva La Vida" when it first came out and just falling in love with it. It was morning, and the smell of breakfast was drifting through the farmhouse. We were all gathering around the table to eat when we heard your music. My sister had clicked on your youtube video. I remember that all ten of us gathered around the computer like barnacles to the side of a ship and just watched. We replayed the video maybe ten times. I play cello, so I have an idea of the perseverance involved in playing like you do - you play cello like Rumplestiltskin spun straw! But you know what was better than watching the skill? Seeing the joy written all over you and John Schmidt's faces while you played. I mean, I know that feeling. That moment when I manage to coax the music to come out of my fingers just like it should... it's amazing.
    I actually started playing violin when I was about eight. My parents are dedicated to music and bought each of us kids an instrument around that age. I took private lessons from friends for a while, until I played moderately well. At the age of fourteen I switched to cello, after watching the closing scene from"Master and Commander". (If you have never watched that movie, at least watch the end. It's a beautiful duet between a cello and a violin.) I was hooked. So Dad bought me a $1000 cello off ebay, and I started lessons. Eventually I convinced my cello teacher to help me play that song, and I performed it twice last year. As for where I am headed with cello now... well, it's kind of unknown. So far, my sisters and I have been playing at churches and weddings. I love it: love the chance to harmonize, love to watch the audience, love to hear the music! Now my little brother Dustin wants to be a cellist when he grows up.
    The reason I am writing this letter to you is that you are a hero of mine. I was at your concert in Cleveland last night and I was just blown away by the show. Probably my favorite part of the show was towards the end, when you said "People like Jay Leno ask us 'where do you get these ideas?'" and you were like "where do we get these ideas?" and freaking out a little, and then you heard a clear voice tell you that "I gave you the ideas". And it was God. I sat there listening and I just about jumped out of my seat yelling "I knew it!" Because your music is like nothing I have heard before, not because of the instruments or talent, but because I hear heaven in your music, and I was wondering if it was just me, and now I know it wasn't. See, that is why I started playing - I want people to hear heaven in my music. I want them to get that funny ache inside that I get when I hear something beautiful. I want to inspire and encourage with my music. You and Mr. Schmidt do that. As I was sitting in the State Theater I was thinking earnestly on the subject of heroes. The image of a lamp prism came to mind. You know, when light shines through a prism, that prism shines like a jewel. Yet, the prism is only reflecting the light. You guys have been prisms to me, reflecting the character of God through your music. Thank you.
    I have a question that I would love to sit down and talk out with you. But since that is improbable, here it is. Do you ever feel like you aren't a very good cellist, even though you are? I do. Often.
     Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for your music.
                                               Sincerely,
                                                         Cheri Baer