Ludwig von Beethoven, one of the world's greatest musicians, was born into a
musical family in Germany. As a child he spent many lonely hours practicing his
music every day.
By the age of eleven he was already composing his own music and conducting an
orchestra. In his late teens he went to Vienna for further study. There he
reached fame though not fortune.
One evening as he was out walking he passed a cobbler's house where he heard
someone inside practicing one of his compositions. As he stopped to listen he
overheard a girl say that she wished she could hear a real musician play it
properly. Beethoven went into the house and, noticing the young lady at the
piano was blind, offered to play the piece for her. He did so for her for more
than an hour and while he did, darkness fell and the lone candle in the room had
gone out.
Outside in the night sky the moon shone brightly and sent its radiant beams
glistening into the room where Beethoven sat playing beautiful music. He was so
inspired by the appreciation of his music by the young lady and the beauty of
the atmosphere in the room that he composed his famous "Moonlight Sonata."
Do you ever feel that your dreams have been shattered and you feel all alone in
the darkness of despair. I certainly have. However, when our life is committed
to Christ, it's in these "dark nights of the soul" when God is working in us to
give us more understanding of life and compassion for others and in time will
bring back the music into our life.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please put a song in my heart, a song of gratitude
and love for you for all that you have done for and given to me. Gratefully in
Jesus' name."
By Dick Innes, Daily Encounter
www.actsweb.org/detoday . Used by permission.
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