Summary: Maria set up her music stand, then took her violin out of the hall closet. She began to play, but as she drew her bow across the strings, many notes that came from the violin were shaky and unsure. "I'm outta here!" exclaimed her brother Carlos, heading for the door. "Those high, squeaky notes hurt my ears!" "Carlos is right--they sound awful!" wailed Maria. "I know just what my teacher would say--she'd call those sour notes! This piece is too hard!" "Try it again," said Mom, coming into the room. "Keep practicing." With a sigh, Maria did so. Though she still couldn't play the song perfectly by the end of her thirty-minute practice session, it had definitely improved. "Did everyone have a good day?" asked Dad at the dinner table that evening. "What did you all do?" "Well . . . I practiced the new piece my violin teacher assigned," said Maria. "It still needs a lot of work, but it's coming along." "Some of us guys played ball in the empty lot at the corner," reported Carlos. "John got mad and went home. He doesn't do that as much as he used to, but he sure blew it today." "That's too bad," said Mom, "but I'm glad he's been doing better." "He's a Christian, isn't he?" asked Maria. "He should know better than to get mad like that." "Well, let's pray for him and be thankful he's making progress," Dad said. "It's easier to be patient with others when we remember that we all need a lot of improvement in living for the Lord." "Right," agreed Mom. "Think about your violin practice, honey. Remember all the sour notes we heard at first? When we sin, we're like a sour note, and the harmony we had with God is gone. But when we confess our sin and ask Him to forgive us, our friendship with Jesus is like new." Dad nodded. "When we accept Jesus, God changes us and helps us live in a way that pleases Him," he added. "It takes time, but God has promised to continue working in our lives. You didn't give up on your music, and I'm glad God doesn't give up on us." He smiled. "He won't give up on John, either." "Okay,"said Maria. "I'll keep practicing, and I think John will, too." How About You? Have you or your friends been making sour notes lately? Maybe you've heard the saying, "Be patient. God isn't finished with me yet." That is true--God is still working on you. Thank Him for His patience and for not giving up on you. When you sin, ask God to forgive you, and try each day to learn more from His Word and to grow more like Him. Today's Key Verse: He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) Today's Key Thought: God won't give up on you
