Time Out for Women

I could have quit a long time ago. It certainly would have saved me a lot of embarrassment! Yet every time someone asked me to play the piano or organ, I found myself saying “yes.”

Once during a Christmas concert, I accidentally knocked all the piano music onto the floor while accompanying the stake choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus. After the music was picked up I could not find the right place and they finished the song without any accompaniment. I was very embarrassed.

Another time I started playing the wrong Sacrament song. The chorister didn't stop me during the introduction and started leading the music as if nothing was wrong. However, as soon as a confused few started singing, I realized it was the wrong song but didn't know what to do, so I just kept playing. Amazingly, the words fit the music so I thought maybe I'd get away with it. But the music ran out before the words did and as the conductor continued to wave her arm, I started playing the song a second time. Then everyone completely stopped singing and the chorister just stared at me. I started to laugh and said "I know I'm playing the wrong song. What do you want to do?" She then laughed and said to the congregation, "One day we'll have to sing a melody with different words, but now let's start with the second verse." Everyone in the congregation laughed and I had a hard time becoming serious again. Needless to say, it wasn’t the most reverent hymn ever sung.

After church the following Sunday, the Bishop shook my hand and congratulated me on successfully playing the correct music for all congregational hymns.

Several years later I was asked to play the organ for another meeting and realized several measures into the introduction to the hymn that the organ had been set to transpose the music to a much higher key. I knew the members could never sing the hymn in that key, but wasn’t sure how to proceed since I had already begun playing. So I held a chord and turned the transposing knob which made the tones of the organ descend by half steps to the proper key. It sounded ridiculous and everyone laughed—even those who did not understand what had happened. I laughed and said to the conductor, “Shall we try again?”

While it would have been easy to give up, there are several reasons why I kept on playing. First, I love our Heavenly Father very much and want to serve Him any way I can to show my love. I know he understands when we make mistakes and will help us improve. Second, I knew I would become a better piano player if I kept trying. No one is very good at anything at first. And finally, I want to report back to my Heavenly Father when I return to Him that I have at least tried to develop my talents.

Mary giving a piano lesson to a grandchild.

So no matter what talents you have or how much practice they need, don’t be afraid to share them! Sure, you may make some mistakes, but over time your talents will become a great blessing in your life and the lives of those you share them with.

About the Author

Brooke Olsen Benton is the wife of one, the mother of four, and the curator of a thousand to-do's. Originally from California, she now makes a home in the mountain west. Her writing has appeared in The Mother in Me and Dance with Them and on segullah.org. More of her can be found at brookebenton.blogspot.com.