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,

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