The Right Note

The Right Note

“Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.” -Joe

I love the short story with this unusual title: “The Man Whose Wife’s Hair Was too Long but Whose Understanding of Music Was too Short.” In the story, the husband is playing a cello. He plays the same note over and over again. His wife, who is slowly going crazy listening to this one note asks, “Why do you play the same note over and over? Other cellists play different notes. Why don’t you?” The husband responds, “Other cellists play different notes because they are trying to find the right one. I’ve found mine.”

The husband’s musical ability may be questionable, but his point accurately applies to a lot of other things. Many people spend their entire lives looking for the right note. They move up and down the scale forever – without playing anything that makes a positive contribution to other people and the world. If you are fortunate enough to find your note, don’t lose it. Play it! The Apostle Paul wrote, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).

Let us pray: Awesome God, life is so beautiful. Why do we often live in dread of the day ahead, or anesthetized to the magic of the present moment? Show us how to find you in other persons – in the children who skip past us on the sidewalk, in the old man pushing a grocery basket, in the patients waiting in the doctor’s office. Restore us to a sense of passion and caring until we find the right note. Bless us now that we may be a blessing to others as we seek to make this day a masterpiece. In Jesus name. Amen.

Daily Message Author: Roger Kunkel

(November 24, 1934 – June 29, 2011) Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel was a native of Parsons, Kansas, graduated from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, where he received an award for “Outstanding Student and Citizen”. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, and went on to serve as Senior Pastor in Duluth, Minnesota, and Riverside, Illinois. He served as Chaplain of Heritage Park Rehab Center in Bradenton, Florida, after retiring from his pastorate at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota in 1998. Full Bio

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