One of God's Tiny Presents

Singing a song in choir is one thing, but singing it in front of the poet who wrote the words and the composer who put them to music is another.

On Friday, October 23, 2009, I was able to do just that. For our fall concerts, the Marietta College Concert Choir sang a piece titled “Tiny Presents” taken from a collection of pieces called “Songs from Bonnie’s Heart.” Bonnie Donnelly is a poet who also happens to be a Marietta grad and William Beulow took her words and composed several beautiful pieces. So to have them both in the audience while we sang one of the pieces was a truly special moment.

As we began singing our first line, “In the middle of the park,” I looked just to the left of our director and there sat Mr. Beulow three rows back next to the aisle singing right along with us. It warmed my heart to see him in such a relaxed mood hearing his creation brought to life.

I looked two people to his right and there sat Bonnie with a grin for the world to see. Her smile was further-complemented by the tear that rolled down her cheek.

The piece went on and never had we sang with such intent to bring meaning to the words. The song concluded and we were applauded, but no gratitude was shown like that we received from Bonnie. With hands over her lips she stood and sent kisses our way with “thank you” interspersed. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw the most genuine gratitude and appreciation expressed that I had ever seen. Her words were now a part of us all.

It makes me wonder if God doesn’t feel the same way.

When He sees His creation bringing His words to life don’t you think He’s watching, smiling and singing along with us? When we put our hearts and emotions into His service, don’t you think He stands at the end of the day or the end of our lives and says “Thank you”?

I witnessed human gratitude that spoke volumes of emotion and it makes me wonder about the magnitude of Perfect Gratitude. I can almost hear God whispering to his children “thank you” as one reaches out to feed another, as one takes time to genuinely love the unloved. A tear slides over His smile as He watches His creation bring “music” to the words he spoke.