Perfect Pitch

“None is righteous (perfect), no not one.”  Romans 3:10

“The reality is that the only way change comes is when you lead by example.”  Anne Wojicki

Perfect is defined has “having no flaws.”  My Mama was blessed with a beautiful voice and along with that, she also had perfect pitch.  Perfect pitch is defined as “the ability to identify a musical tone without hearing the pitch as an external reference.”  So, in words I can understand, Mama could look at a sheet of music and without any musical instrument to give her the pitch, she could sing it flawlessly. I am afraid that I didn’t inherit this gift, but I do admire those others I know who possess it.

Possessing this gift can be both a blessing and a curse!  I can’t even imagine sitting next to people in the choir or anywhere else who have no idea about musical notes or tone and resisting the urge to lean away or plug your ears because you hear every mistake they make!  (I know about that because Randy sings one note, and he sings it badly).  Instead, Mama always led by example.  I saw this firsthand because I sat by her in the choir for years.  She never corrected me or anyone else, nor did she sing in their ear, but she was there, next to you, if you chose to follow her.  I know many other people who also lead by example.

As we prepare our hearts and minds during these 40 days of Lent, it is good for me to remember that Jesus came to give us the example of how we should live.  He never pushed, threatened, or  berated the people to whom he ministered. He just showed them (us) the way God would have us to live.  He modeled dependence on the Holy Spirit, submission to God in all things, servanthood, service, leadership, teaching, love, forgiveness, faith, hope, mentoring, and gentleness.

He was the perfect example which we should follow each day.  We have all sinned and fallen short, but it is good to know that when we stumble, no one among us is perfect!  God doesn’t measure us by our perfection, but by our love for Jesus.