Reflections

Compiled Christian Quotes,Stories & Anecdotes

REFLECTIONS

Master’s Hand

By Myra Brooks Welch‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneerThought it scarcely worth his whileTo spend much time on the old violin,But he held it up with a smile.“What am I bidden for this?” he cried.“Who’ll start the bidding for me?A dollar—one dollar; then two—only two:Two dollars are bidden; say three.“Three dollars once: Three dollars twice:Going for three!” But lo!From the back of the crowd a gray-haired manCame forward and picked up the bow.Then, wiping the dust from the old violinAnd tight’ning the loosened strings,He played a melody passing sweet,The kind that haunts and clings.The music ceased, and the auctioneer,With a voice that was soft and low,Said, “Now what is bid for the old violin?”And he held it up with the bow.“A thousand dollars: Who’ll make it two?Two—two thousand; say three!Three thousand once, three thousand twice,Three thousand—gone!” said he.The people cheered, but some exclaimed,“We do not quite understandWhat changed its worth?” and the answer came:“’Twas the touch of the master’s hand.”And many a man with soul out of tune,And battered and scarred by sin,Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd, Just like the old violin.But the Master comes, and the foolish crowdNever can quite understandThe worth of a soul, and the change that is wroughtBy the touch of the Master’s hand.O Master! I am the tuneless one:Lay, lay Thy hand on me.Transform me now, put a song in my heartOf melody, Lord, to Thee!Dr. Hubert Davidson visited thenoted poetess, Myra Brooks Welch,who perhaps is best known for hermasterpiece, “The Touch of theMaster’s Hand.” As he turned toleave her home, Myra Welch pattedthe arm of her wheelchair and said,“And I thank God for this!” Imagine being grateful for a wheelchair! Buther talent lay undiscovered prior toher wheelchair days. Rather than becoming bitter, she chose to lether handicap make her better, anda wonderful ministry opened newdoors for her.

The Touch of the

REFLECTIONS

R300 GP—March 2004

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A life need not be great to be beautiful. Theremay be as much beauty in a tiny flower as in amajestic tree, in a little gem as in a great jewel. Alife may be very lovely and yet be insignificant inthe world’s eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfilsits mission in this world, that is what God made itto be, and does what God made it to do. Those withonly commonplace gifts are in danger of thinkingthat they cannot live a beautiful life, cannot be a blessing in this world. But the smallest life that fillsits place well is beautiful in God’s sight.

—Mrs. Charles Cowman

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The great composer, George Frideric Handelhad lost his health. His right side was paralyzed.His money was gone. His creditors threatened toimprison him. Handel became so disheartened byhis tragic experiences that he almost lost faith anddespaired. He came through the ordeal, however,and composed his greatest work, “The HallelujahChorus”, the climactic point of his great “Messiah.”The Apostle John wrote, “This is the victory thatovercometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

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Greatness is not found in possessions, power,position or prestige. It is discovered in goodness,humility, service and character.

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God doesn’t use anybody who thinks they’resomething. He just uses nobodies and nothings thatHe makes something out of.

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The polyps (hydras) which construct the coralreefs work away under water, never dreaming thatthey are building the foundation of a new island onwhich, by and by, plants and animals will live andchildren of God will be born.If your place in God’s ranks is a hidden andsecluded one, do not complain, do not seek to getout of God’s Will if He has placed you there; forwithout the polyps, the coral reefs would never be built, and God needs some who are willing to be spiritual polyps, and work away out of sight ofmen, but sustained by the Holy Ghost in full viewof Heaven.The day will come when Jesus will give therewards, and He makes no mistakes, although somepeople may wonder how you came to merit such awonderful reward, as they had never heard of you before.

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Have you ever considered how only the smaller birds sing? You never heard a note from the eaglein all your life, nor from the turkey, nor from theostrich. But you have heard from the canary, thewren, and the lark. The sweetest music comesfrom those Christians who are small in their ownestimation and before the Lord. “He hath exaltedthem of low degree” (Luke 1:52).

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You are God’s opportunity in your day. He haswaited for ages for a person just like you. If yourefuse Him, then God loses His opportunity whichHe sought through you, and He will never haveanother, for there will never be another person onthe earth just like you.

Bring to God your gift, my brother; He’ll not need to call another,You will do. He will add His blessing to it, And the two of you will do it,God and you. —R.E. Neighbour