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Nightingale









Sunday, May 28, 2006
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Every job is a self portrait of the one who does it.
Is your work a masterpiece or a hack-job?


Long ago, a band of minstrels tried to make a living by traveling from village to village, performing music. However, even though the band's fee was small, the common folk to whom their music appealed could not afford admission to their performances.

Discouraged, one of the musicians said, "I see no reason to perform tonight. It's snowing and no one will come out on an evening like this."

One of the others agreed. "He's right. Only a handful of people came last night."

However, the leader of the troupe disagreed: "I know you're discouraged. I am too. But we have a responsibility to those who might come tonight. We will give our best performance. It's not the fault of those who come that others do not."

Heartened by their leader's words, the minstrels played to their sparse crowd with passion and energy. After the show, the leader again addressed the troupe. In his hand he held a note handed to him by one of the few audience members. The leader read the note: "Thank you for the beautiful performance." It was signed simply, "You King".



Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23
 
3:40 PM | Permalink |


13 Comments:


  • At 5/28/2006 5:02 PM, Blogger OldLady Of The Hills

    I have been to many a performance and been in many a performance, too, where there were more people on the stage than in the audience. Still, you give it your all, because that is what you do for the love of your work and the pride you take in it!

     
  • At 5/29/2006 12:45 PM, Blogger Kelly Lynch

    That is what I try and teach my kids and try to remember, myself. That in all we do we should do it to please the Lord. That it would give Hime glory. It is not always easy, thank you for reminding me.

     
  • At 5/29/2006 9:00 PM, Blogger The Mistress of the Dark

    Lovely post. Hope you had a lovely weekend.

    Andrea

     
  • At 5/29/2006 9:01 PM, Blogger Lazy Daisy

    What a great lesson to learn. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it all for the glory of the Lord. Blessings and early birthday greetings.

     
  • At 5/30/2006 12:10 AM, Blogger Chris Beason

    I think what was impressed on me the most is that they weren't trying to impress anybody, they were doing their best. That must be what it is to please God, to do your best in all circumstances, not so He'll be impressed with you, but because that is how He created us to live for Him.

     
  • At 5/30/2006 3:08 AM, Blogger Jean-Luc Picard

    An excellent story!

     
  • At 5/30/2006 5:17 AM, Blogger ... Paige

    Great post. Live as if He were watching.

     
  • At 5/30/2006 12:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous

    Wow that gave me goose bumps!! Not exactly sure why, I guess always trying to do your best...Thanks for sharing another awesome post!

     
  • At 5/30/2006 3:01 PM, Blogger Meow (aka Connie)

    Hey there, hope you had a great weekend, and are having a wonderful week.
    Take care, Meow

     
  • At 5/30/2006 4:02 PM, Blogger Nashe^

    heyz! that wuz nice.

    Ps; i'll be chucking a postcard to u soon,ok?
    tataz!

     
  • At 5/30/2006 7:35 PM, Blogger MaR

    Powerful! and a lesson to be learned. To always do our best.

     
  • At 5/30/2006 10:17 PM, Blogger Trinity13

    Huh, you never know who's watching, do you?

    Hope you had a great weekend!

     
  • At 5/31/2006 6:30 PM, Blogger carmilevy

    It's not the size of the audience that matters most. It's the significance of who's listening.

    I always write to an audience of one. If I reach one person with my work, I've succeeded.

    Quite a change from earlier in my career, when I was so obsessed with numbers - ratings, circulation, etc. - that I forgot about how deeply mere words can impact one person.

    Thanks for the reminder.