Twice a year, our son has music recitals: December and May. He takes piano and violin lessons. He enjoys both and it is hard to know right now if or when he will drop one and focus more on the one that he keeps. Recently, he even played a piano piece in church – his first special music.
Here is his violin recital – Hunters’ Chorus by Carl Maria von Weber. His piano piece in church was Chant Arabe, an anonymous song from the first Suzuki piano book.
We are coming up in the world, my husband and I. We used to be the ones with the noisy babies, who could not even sit in church. Now, one of our babies is blessing our church family with music.
Several people came up to my son before and after his performance, to encourage him or to thank him for it. He took it all in and said “Thank you.” He told me afterwards that “everybody” came to talk to him about his playing. Well, I know it wasn’t everybody. But I am glad it felt like it to him. We have a supportive church family, who embraced his efforts and encouraged him that day.
By the way, my son does not have a problem with playing in front of a large crowd or a small crowd. He told me that he felt nervous during the first three notes of the song. Then, he got over it. To me, it is another confirmation that socialization in the context of a 25-kid classroom for seven hours a day, five days a week is not a guaranteed way to increase self-confidence. On the contrary.
I find homeschooled kids more self-assured than the ones who attend school away from their parents for 35 hours every week. Is it any wonder? Homeschooled children receive a lot of mommy time, a lot of attention from both parents, and their mom-love compartment is full to the brim. That’s a great way to start your journey through life and its challenging social situations.
I pray that this is the beginning of a long journey – my son giving his talents to our church family and the community around us. Praising our Maker and Redeemer through music and helping people think about God surely counts as a ministry.