ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

They introduced the young musician. Welcome...Mr. Patrick Henry Hughes. He was rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair & began to play the piano. His fingers danced across the keys as he made beautiful music.

He then began to sing as he played & it was even more beautiful. For some reason, however, I knew that I was seeing something special. There was this aura about him that I really can't explain & the smile...his smile was magic!

About ten minutes into Patrick's performance, someone came on the stage & said..."I'd like to share a seven-minute video titled, The Patrick Henry Hughes story." And the lights went dim.

Patrick Henry Hughes was born with no eyes & a tightening of the joints which left him crippled for life. However, as a child, he was fitted with artificial eyes & placed in a wheelchair.

Before his first birthday, he discovered the piano. His mom said, "I could hit any note on the piano & within one or two tries, he'd get it."

By his second birthday, he was playing requests: You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

His father was ecstatic. "We might not play baseball, but we can play music together."

Today, Patrick is a junior at the University of Louisville. He’s made nearly all A's, with the exception of 3 B's.

He's also a part of the 214-member marching band. You read it right...the marching band! He's a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he & his father do it together. His father rolls & rotates his son around the field to the cheers of Patrick's fans. Patrick said..."My dad's my hero."

But even more than his unbelievable musical talent, it was Patrick's "attitude of gratitude" that touched my soul. On stage, between songs, he would talk to the audience about his life & about how blessed he was. He said, "God made me blind & unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He gave me the ability...the musical gifts I have...the great opportunity to meet new people."

When his performance was over, Patrick & his father were on the stage together. The crowd rose to their feet & cheered for over five minutes. It gave me giant goose bumps! (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“Our God is not made of stone. His heart is the most sensitive and tender of all. No act goes unnoticed, no matter how insignificant or small. A cup of cold water is enough to put tears in the eyes of God. God celebrates our feeble expressions of gratitude.” - Richard J. Foster.

Heb 12:28 (ISV): “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and worship God in reverence and fear in a way that pleases him.”