I’m not sure anyone noticed, but evidently, she thought that we had.  My mother-in-law plays for most of the special music at my church.  A week ago when she went to accompany the special song, she stood behind the piano and explained to everyone, “You might have noticed that I always shut the song book when I come to play for a special.  There is nothing wrong with this song book, but it is the wrong one when I play for specials.  I look up and want to play the notes out of the hymnal.  It distracts me, so I shut it.” 

Such a small, simple thing.  But I found it very helpful.

Mom told us that it didn’t matter what it was that might distract us spiritually; it would be better to “close the book.”  The distraction might not be sinful, but she didn’t want to put her mind on the wrong notes that would take her off of the melody that God wanted her to be playing.

She didn’t want to play the wrong song.  God has a song that He wants me to play, and He doesn’t want me to get off on another one.  I am asking Him today what song He is wanting for me. I don’t want to be distracted.

No matter how good a song or a cause may be, if it is not what God wants me to give my time and energy to, I need to shut the book. 

I don’t want to play a song that is meant for a different time.  I don’t want to get caught up in the songs of the past with its failures, or the future with its plans and uncertainties and miss out on the song for today.

When you find yourself going through life, playing the wrong song, you need to shut the book.

Rejecting everything that would bid me stay,

 I’m pressing, I’m pressing;

 Depending on God’s help every hour and day,

 I’m pressing toward the Glory Land.

-Johnson Oatman, Jr.