Being in Tune

         Throughout my life I have had many occasions when I worked at being in tune.  In my teenage life as a band member of our high school I knew the need of finding just the right pitch for my instrument to be in tune with the rest of the musicians.  As that chapter came near drawing to a close I found myself to be the concert master (mistress?) that played the note for each section, listened, suggested whether they were sharp or flat, worked to get just that right sound.  Since those days there have been many similar moments.  It isn’t always something that can be fixed with a small adjustment.  Listening in choir when someone’s voice if off-key, even just a tad, can make my teeth feel on edge, nerves fraying.  I can’t fix that, but I do need to overlook it.

            Recently I attended a symphony orchestra concert and listened to the tuning procedure prior to the concert, then again after a short intermission.  A change in temperature,  drying of reeds, lubrication insufficient---so many little things can throw off that unified sound.  Those who seem unable to find the right pitch can destroy the overall performance of a wonderful group, regardless of the hours of practice prior.  The effort  to be in tune is repeated over and over, until it meets as closely as possible to the wishes of the conductor.

            I have been reading Emily Freeman’s book 21 Days Closer to Christ.  It reminds me of how often we need to work at staying in tune with our Savior and His teachings.  Hopefully He is the conductor in our lives and has patience as we work to stay on pitch. Small, seemingly insignificant, things in our daily lives throw us off so easily and we cannot seem to find just that “right note.” Sometimes we go into a complete discordant overture!

 We are imperfect beings, everything won’t fix,  we are often most harsh on ourselves, even though we may blame others.  We may wander for lengthy periods without realizing that we are the ones who are out of sync.  Just as in music it takes repeated effort and reflection, a “good ear”to find the tone we are seeking. Then more effort is still required to cling to that soul enhancing feeling that lets us understand we are “in tune.”  For me it is an eternal quest.  I daresay I am not alone.