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WRITE 2 THE HEART
Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart"
July 22, 2004
Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator @ write2theheart.com.
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early.
L.J. was not a musical man. He did enjoy listening to his wife’s
family as they gathered around a piano and sang. This pleasure
prompted him to buy a piano for his family, with wonderful
results.
Playing For My Father
By Donna J. Shepherd
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He
is
my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. –
Exodus 15:2 NIV
Luther Jack Riley, L.J. for short, was not a musical man. His
wife, Mammie, grew up singing, and when they visited her family,
the whole clan gathered around the piano to sing for hours. But not
L.J. – he sat to the side and listened, never singing a note.
At the age of nine, Lavawan, the youngest of L.J. and
Mammie’s four children, found out his dad had a plan. Even
though no one in the family had ever expressed a desire to play a
musical instrument, for some inexplicable reason, his father
decided to buy a piano.
Lavawan waited on pins and needles for the piano to be
delivered. Somehow he knew, as if by instinct, he’d be able to play
it. He’d already begun calling it "my piano.”
Finally the day arrived. It rained hard that day, and the movers
covered the wood with plastic sheeting. They rolled the old upright
into the living room, and Lavawan’s anticipation grew as they
peeled back the plastic. He had such an unusual feeling about it all.
He knew before he sat down he could play that piano.
All four children took turns trying to play. One by one, they
quit … except Lavawan. Every single day, he spent hours picking
out notes. He had no teachers, no lessons, just a tenacious
determination to learn.
L.J. worked shift work at the paper mill and often had to sleep
during the day. It would be difficult for most people to sleep with a
kid banging on the ivories for hours on end, but not L.J.
Lavawan’s mom pulled him aside to tell him she'd noticed
something odd. "When you play the piano, your dad sleeps. When
you quit, he wakes up."
One day Lavawan knelt down beside his bed and prayed a
fervent prayer. “Please, God, if you’ll give me the ability to play,
I’ll use it for Your glory the rest of my life.” Within a few months’
time, he could play almost every song the congregation sung at
church. He became the church pianist at the age of ten.
Over the next few years, he learned to read and write music
fluently. He became a concert pianist, and played for thousands of
people. Thousands more sang as he played in worship services.
Lillenus Publishing Company has released several books of
arrangements for piano by Lavawan Riley.
He testifies, “The call on my life depended on a decision and
act of my father totally independent of me. He did not know I
would become a pianist and serve in the ministry all these years. I
know God guided the steps of my father.”
L.J. Riley passed away a few months ago at the age of 84.
Lavawan played for his father’s funeral. While he played, all he
could think of was that rainy day many years ago when his daddy
felt led by the Holy Spirit to buy a piano.
As he filed past the casket, Lavawan laid his left hand on his
father’s lifeless right hand and prayed another fervent prayer.
“God, these hands have finished their work. They toiled for years,
and now they toil no more. But in my hands, there is still life, and I
will use my hands to serve You the rest of my days. Thank you,
God, for giving me such a father.”
Donna J. Shepherd
donnashepherd @ cinci.rr.com
Lavawan and his wife, Sheila, are dear friends. I’ve been
blessed to see him in concert many times. When he plays, the
Spirit of God fills the room.
I never knew L.J. Riley. When I asked Lavawan about his dad,
he sent along a picture taken two years ago. He looked exactly like
I imagined he would, a short, pudgy man in a ball cap with a
friendly smile.
Even though we never met, I am grateful to L.J. Riley for his
openness to guidance from the Lord. My desire is to be led of the
Spirit the same way in every area of my life.
Donna J. Shepherd lives in Ohio with husband, Don, and two
children. Her children’s poems are in “Guideposts for Kids,” “Wee
Ones,” and “Whimsy Magazine.” Donna writes teaching and
inspirational articles and devotions for “Just Between Us,” “Worth
Finding Media,” and “Universal Personality Magazine.” Donna’s
ministries include teaching, singing, and playing the piano. Read
more at Devotionals by Donna:
www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com
You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know
what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story?
Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com.
Letters From Our Readers
What a wonderful story. Today I am taking an elderly friend
who has just lost her husband to lunch. I have offered to go
home with her and help clean out closets, write notes or what
ever. She will probably insist that I don't come in, but after
reading this story I can't wait and will tell her about the one winged
angel. So sweet and so precious. I want to be like Vincent today
and will tell his story to others.
M
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful story in today's
newsletter. I will be delighted to be subscribed to a newsletter
which sounds so interesting to me- inspirational as well as true. It
touched my heart as I am sure it had to touch the heart of other
readers. How uplifting to look forward to such an enlightening
newsletter! Thank you!
Therese in Ottawa, Canada
"Grateful Heart" by Ellie Braun-Haley had me crying profusely.
To picture Vincent and Riana holding hands at the time of their
passing was a heart-touching image, but one of great emotional
disturbance for me. I know the impact of child loss, and know that
compassion given by any person is most comforting. I appreciate
Ellie for sharing about Vincent father's compassion to her at such a
moment in his early bereavement. His tremendous loss did not stop
him from sharing his gratitude for Ellie's kindness to his children.
God comforts all children.
Patricia
Military Prayer Reminder
As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to
pray for these young people and their families:
Chris Speir
Tim Speir
Alan
Todd Holland
Graham
William
Julie Sagel
Jessie
Marshal Thompson
Jason
Eric Hernandez
Kristin Danielson
Ken Prieur
Ryan
Larry Miele
Daniel
Amy
John
Joanne
Gary Boardwine
Josh
Hadassah
Chanz Wackerly
Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and
our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military,
or who are being called to go overseas, send their names
(first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer
reminder.
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Cheryl’s Corner
Whew! Tuesday, hubby David, sons Tim and Jeremy decided
on an impromptu motorcycling and camping trip on the Natchez
Trace. How can men be so helpless? Every time I sat down at my
computer, someone needed me to find something for them. And of
course it was urgent and they needed it now or they couldn’t leave.
They didn’t pull out until midnight!
At the same time, Logan and Mason were here with a guest.
Wouldn’t you know it, they caught the “I need bug” also.
The campers called home all excited over the things they have
seen. They were particularly excited over all of the Indian burial
mounds.
What am I doing to entertain myself while they are gone? I’m
doing what I do best, tearing up my bedroom to rearrange it. If
they would just stay gone a little longer, I would paint!
God Bless,
Cheryl
Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart
Nothing may be reproduced or published without
the written permission of the individual author or
copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.
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