The Lord Hears

and He answers. Sometimes the answer is "No." Sometimes it is "Wait." And sometimes it is "Yes." The answer was yes. YES!!

You may remember way back, that the children were taking music lessons. And we were getting them for a song. No pun intended. The previous teacher was very reasonable, and let Autumn borrow a cello, and Collin borrow a viola for free. Unfortunately, gas prices went higher, and the teacher wasn't able to keep traveling the distance to lessons. Classes stopped, and the instruments had to be returned. Collin was fine, but Autumn was very upset. She was learning quickly, and really enjoyed it. Cellos aren't cheap, and we couldn't afford to buy her a new one. Or a used one for that matter.

Autumn started saving her money, and I started paying her a little here and there as I could
afford to. Now, we have never given the children an allowance, nor have we paid them for chores. It is our belief that every member of the household must pull their own weight. They are in training for adulthood. And they are better for it. However, I started asking Autumn to do some "extra" things that would ease my burden from time to time. She gladly did so, and was rewarded monetarily.

Waiting is hard. It's hard at any age, but especially so as a child. Not that she is a young child, but don't you remember being a teenager? Fifteen?

She has started collecting names of cello dealers. Music stores. Individuals. Anyone who might have a cello for sale. And saving. Slowly. Slowly. Saving. Asking only for money for Christmas. Tucking it carefully away. Not purchasing clothing that most girls her age would be after. Or Cd's, or an Ipod. No. Only a cello will do. And she has been praying. Fervently. That God might provide a cello at a reasonable price.

Autumn has been wearing braces for nearly two years. She's been to the orthodontist many, many times. She and her dental assistant, Barb, have chatted about everything under the sun. (I often wonder if Barb will be saddened when Autumn gets her braces off.) They talk about homeschooling, crocheting, cross-stitching, knitting, sewing, music, etc. Last week was no different. Barb told Autumn that she would be getting her braces off next month, and then the conversation went to what Autumn had planned for the year. Autumn shared with Barb that she had her heart set on finding a cello, and reasonable lessons. Barb knows a woman at her church who plays cello. She has three daughters, and Barb thought that maybe she might be interested in giving Autumn lessons for a reasonable price. She gave Autumn the phone number.
Saturday evening, Autumn decided to call this woman to inquire whether or not she would be interested in teaching. The woman quickly, but politely told Autumn that she is too busy with her own family, and was not interested in giving lessons. Autumn said thank you anyway, and by the way would she happen to know anyplace fairly local to buy a cello. The woman gave her the names of a store several hours away, an online store, and the name of an individual that she already had.

Now it was the woman's turn to question Autumn. What size cello was she looking for? Autumn told her that she would like to have a full size. The woman paused, and said,"You may have called the right person. I have two cellos. One is in storage, and I would be willing to let you borrow it. If you like it and want to buy it, I will sell it to you for much less than what I paid for it. I just want to see it be used." She and Autumn worked out a few details, and Autumn hung up the phone and came to find me.

As Autumn was telling me all about their conversation, she started crying. Oh, the poor girl looked so confused, and she blurted, "I feel so weird! I've never cried because I've been happy before!" And so we rejoiced together.

The next day, we shared our news with our church family, and several women at our church know the woman with the cello, and were not at all surprised to hear of her offer. And truthfully, we aren't either. After all, it was a desire of Autumn's heart, and she took it to her Father in prayer. Why wouldn't He provide?