By Myra Brooks Welch

Dr. Hubert Davidson visited the noted poetess, Myra Brooks Welch, who perhaps is best known for her masterpiece, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”. As he turned to leave her home, Myra Welch patted the arm of her wheelchair and said, “And I thank God for this!” Imagine being grateful for a wheelchair! But her talent lay undiscovered prior to her wheelchair days. Rather than becoming bitter, she chose to let her handicap make her better, and a wonderful ministry opened new doors for her.

* * *
‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To spend much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bidden for this?” he cried.
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar–one dollar; then two–only two:
Two dollars are bidden; say three.

“Three dollars once: Three dollars twice:
Going for three!” But lo!
From the back of the crowd a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin
And tight’ning the loosened strings,
He played a melody passing sweet,
The kind that haunts and clings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was soft and low,
Said, “Now what is bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars: Who’ll make it two?
Two–two thousand; say three!
Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Three thousand–gone!” said he.

The people cheered, but some exclaimed,
“We do not quite understand
What changed its worth?” and the answer came:
“‘Twas the touch of the master’s hand.”

And many a man with soul out of tune,
And battered and scarred by sin,
Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd,
Just like the old violin.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.

O Master! I am the tuneless one:
Lay, lay Thy hand on me.
Transform me now, put a song in my heart
Of melody, Lord, to Thee!
* * *
A life need not be great to be beautiful. There may be as much beauty in a tiny flower as in a majestic tree, in a little gem as in a great jewel. A life may be very lovely and yet be insignificant in the world’s eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfils its mission in this world, that is what God made it to be, and does what God made it to do. Those with only commonplace gifts are in danger of thinking that they cannot live a beautiful life–cannot be a blessing in this world. But the smallest life that fills its place well is beautiful in God’s sight.

-Mrs. Charles Cowman

* * *
The great composer, George Frideric Handel had lost his health. His right side was paralyzed. His money was gone. His creditors threatened to imprison him. Handel became so disheartened by his tragic experiences that he almost lost faith and despaired. He came through the ordeal, however, and composed his greatest work, “The Hallelujah Chorus”, the climactic point of his great “Messiah.”

The Apostle John wrote, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

* * *
Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service and character.

* * *
God doesn’t use anybody who thinks they’re something. He just uses nobodies and nothings that He makes something out of.

* * *
The polyps (hydras) which construct the coral reefs work away under water, never dreaming that they are building the foundation of a new island on which, by and by, plants and animals will live and children of God will be born.

If your place in God’s ranks is a hidden and secluded one, do not complain, do not seek to get out of God’s Will if He has placed you there; for without the polyps, the coral reefs would never be built, and God needs some who are willing to be spiritual polyps, and work away out of sight of men, but sustained by the Holy Ghost in full view of Heaven.

The day will come when Jesus will give the rewards, and He makes no mistakes, although some people may wonder how you came to merit such a wonderful reward, as they had never heard of you before.

* * *
Have you ever considered how only the smaller birds sing? You never heard a note from the eagle in all your life, nor from the turkey, nor from the ostrich. But you have heard from the canary, the wren, and the lark. The sweetest music comes from those Christians who are small in their own estimation and before the Lord. “He hath exalted them of low degree” (Luke 1:52).

* * *
You are God’s opportunity in your day. He has waited for ages for a person just like you. If you refuse Him, then God loses His opportunity which He sought through you, and He will never have another, for there will never be another person on the earth just like you.

* * *
Bring to God your gift, my brother;
He’ll not need to call another,
You will do.

He will add His blessing to it,
And the two of you will do it,
God and you.

- R.E. Neighbour

The Touch of the Master’s Hand, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International