He will completely deny it, but my son Jacob is a street musician.
It was a Saturday morning and his friend Tristan from school had come over for a sleepover. Tristan brought his violin, so that he and Jacob could “jam.” They had both rented their instruments four days earlier for the 5th Grade Strings program at school and only knew how to play one thing: the theme from the movie “Jaws,” which Tommy had taught Jacob the day before.
Tommy & I had a 4-hour class to attend and left the boys with Joshua until we returned (seemed reasonable at the time). Tommy’s instructions to the boys were simple: Don’t leave the house.
So as we drove into our neighborhood after class, we were shocked to see two little boys…one with a cello and one with a violin…standing on the street corner (a block from our house, I might add). My mind was racing and I was MAD!
Tommy pulled the car over, rolled the window down and firmly said, “GO HOME.” (In hindsight, I wish I had taken a picture of them standing there, because they were really, really cute…and surprised to see us!)
Tommy said he imagined them running around the neighborhood with these expensive instruments and tossing them into the bushes like they do with their nerf guns! Not sure that imagery helped when we had to discipline them.
The moment of truth arrived. The boys walked into the house, heads down. Tommy grilled them about what they were thinking, why they disobeyed and left the house, why they had their instruments outside. After some lame, no good answers, Tristan spoke up and said, “Well, we made $6 bucks!”
OH. MY. GOSH. Do not laugh. Do not laugh. Keep a straight face. It was literally all I could do.
“What? Who gave you money?” I said.
“The people in the cars,” replied Tristan.
Good grief. These kids are real, honest-to-goodness street musicians. That has to be some kind of record. I can see the Guinness World Book of Records headline now:
In four days, 10-year-olds learn theme from “Jaws”
and earn $6 on street corner!
The boys were appropriately lectured about the dangers of street-corner musicianship, disobedience and so on. But my mind could only think of Jesus when he disobeyed his parents at 12-years-old and stayed at the temple in Jerusalem when his family had left for home (Luke 2:41-52).
After three days, his parents found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. I completely understand how relieved, yet angry, his mother must have been. And yet, the Bible tells us that he went home with them and was obedient, and his mother treasured these things in her heart.
I too was angry (laughing, but angry), but I know that Jacob is learning…to stand on his own, to venture out, to try new things.
I will never be able to stop smiling when I think about the day he was ready to show the world his music…my little street musician.
I too will treasure these things in my heart.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5
A Good Seed 