225th Reflection💬

“For what do you pray❓”

To change myself to match His will.

……

28/04/2022 (Thu) 17:30 Tsz Wan Shan

The Applied Music lesson ended. I went for dinner with my schoolmate.

Waiter said, “Order?”

Schoolmate said, “Spaghetti Bolognaise, iced lemon tea.”

I said, “Swiss Chicken Wings served with stirred noodles, Ovaltine Snow mountain.”

Schoolmate said, “How is your diploma studies?”

I said, “Quite good.”

Schoolmate said, “You can catch up with the Harmony class.”

I said, “I do the best in harmony. If not, how can I study composition? How about you?”

Schoolmate said, “Frankly, I want to give up. I don’t even catch up the rudiments.”

I said, “This is the second time I heard from you that you want to give up.”

Schoolmate said, “There is little learning progress I can see.”

I said, “Last time we met, you read the score really slowly. Any progress?”

Schoolmate said, “A little.”

I took out a score.

I said, “What is this note?”

Schoolmate said, “Hold on. Let me count. This is F.”

I said, “It is a bass clef.”

Schoolmate said, “Oh my goodness. I overlooked it. I perceived it as a treble clef. Hold on. Let me count. This is A.”

I said, “Hey, so slow. You’re no much faster than you were. Any practices on weekdays?”

Schoolmate said, “What practices?”

I said, “Score-reading practices. Score-reading is a basic daily practice for music students.”

Schoolmate said, “I’ve stopped it since some time ago.”

I said, “How about rhythm? The Rhythm Trainer that I introduced to you last time we met, playing it?

Schoolmate said, “What is Rhythm Trainer?”

I took out my mobile phone.

I said, “This one.”

Schoolmate said, “Oh.”

I said, “Playing it? 15 minutes a day.”

Schoolmate said, “I’ve stopped it since some time ago.”

I said, “Any piano practices?

Schoolmate said, “Yes, but no apparent progress so far.”

I said, “How long is your practice every day?”

Schoolmate said, “I don’t practise it every day, do you?”

I said, “Yes, I do.”

Schoolmate said, “How long should we practice before I can make some progress.”

I said, “When progress can be made is not something that falls under control but when to practise is.”

Schoolmate said, “I’ve decided that I would allow myself 3 years. If I can make no progress by then, I’ll quit music studies.”

I said, “Then the earliest time you quit your music studies should be 28 April 2025.

Schoolmate said, “Why? It’s almost been a year since I started my studies here.

I said, “Well. But you’ve stopped nearly everything - score reading, rhythm training, piano practices. Today is the 28 April 2022. Even if you re-started all these today, it is 28 April 2025 three years later.”

Schoolmate laughed.

The waiter fetched us the dishes.

Schoolmate said, “Let’s pray together.”

I said, “What is the prayer all about? Are you going to ask the Lord to help you make progress in 3 years even though you’ve stopped all your practices? Or prepare you an aeroplane to move you out of Egypt so that you don’t even need to walk? Such a prayer, you make it on your own. I won’t make it.”

Schoolmate laughed.

Schoolmate said, “Let’s pray for the meal here.”

I said, “That’s fine.”

…….

Another me said, “Why are you so mean? So ruthlessly firm your boundary! How difficult can it be only to give a prayer?”

I said, “Are you blind? I’ve made a thanksgiving prayer for His meal provision.”

Another me said, “Even if your schoolmate asked you for a prayer for some learning progress, isn’t it that difficult for you to say a few words a little more encouraging?”

I said, “The Lord’ll say NO to this prayer.”

Another me said, “How on earth have you got the authority to answer the prayer for the Lord? Do you think you are the Lord? Don’t pretend the Lord while you’re a servant. Shut up!"

I said, “The Lord’s given His answer.”

Another me said, “Answer? Where?

I said, “My schoolmate’s stopped nearly all the practices. What is the consequence?”

Another me said, “No progress at all…Oh, I got it. So you aren’t going to make any prayers. What a fake Christian! Alright, leave him be where he is.”

I said, “I’m now going to pray for him.”

Another me said, “What else will you say in your prayer?”

I said, “I pray that the Lord will guide him to immediately change himself and resume his practice today.”