Humility

I recently received news of a good and Godly man I know who was struck by a car and shortly after died. He taught piano and was instrumental in a Christian program called Csehy. It is a great loss to us, and I am deeply saddened at this news. When I think of him, I think of a story of a great singer which I'll share here.

There was a certain small group of monks who lived in their monastery and worked their garden, tended their land, and enjoyed singing hymns and Psalms all day. They were known throughout the land for their constant singing, while they cooked, cleaned, went into town, and in everything they did. One day a great musician came to live with them, one renowned for his amazing talent. He immediately set to teach them the intricacies of music theory, choral singing, and the like.

However, he noticed no one was singing at the daily chores, while preparing meals, or even walking outside. After several weeks of this he talked with the Abbot and said, "Father, I've heard of the constant song coming from these men, and yet these last weeks they have been all but silent. What is wrong?"

The abbot replied, "Son, they have been singing these last weeks, but you have not heard. They know you are advanced well beyond the other brothers in music and ability, they know you stress the importance of good music and performing well, so they didn't want to offend you. But what you forget is sometimes the best music you make isn't in the notes you sing to others, but in the songs in your heart you sing only to God."