A Father’s Joy (05/01/2026)
- Dr. Kate Wiskus
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Last evening, I went to the local high school for the middle school concerts. It was a zoo, so to speak because there were back-to-back concerts for the 5th & 6th grade band, orchestra, and middle school choir followed by the 7th & 8th grade band and orchestra. We found a parking space luckily, and eventually a seat in the auditorium. We arrived just before the end of one concert after which half the auditorium rose and left.
I noticed the man to my left stayed, so I spoke to him. “Do you have a student in the 7th and 8th grade concerts?” He told me he did. I asked, “What instrument does your child play?” He hesitated for a moment before telling me, “The cello.” I told him my grandson played the bass. He nodded. And I quit chatting.
Towards the end of the evening’s concerts, a woman stepped up to the microphone and introduced herself as the chair of the community support for the music programs. She was there to announce the winners of this year’s scholarships. To qualify, the students had to fill out an application detailing their reasons for seeking the scholarship. Some students wanted to use it for music camp, some to pay for private lessons, and some to buy a new instrument. Then she announced the winners. And one recipient was a cello player. I looked to my left and noticed the man’s joy as he watched the student come forward to accept the scholarship.
After the concert was over, I leaned over again and asked, “Was that your son who won the scholarship?” He beamed as he acknowledged that it was his son. “He came home and told me about the scholarship. I told him he’d have to do it himself. He did, he worked really hard on it. He wants a new cello.” I congratulated him and his son and commented on how exceptional it is to win such an award. He just kept smiling.
I took the memory of this father’s joy home with me. And I prayed for him and for his son, for their relationship, for the son’s ongoing interest in music. As I sat and savored the memory in my mind, I thought of my own father’s joy over my accomplishments. And finally, I thought of my heavenly Father’s joy when I work hard to grow into the one He created me to be.
May this day be a day of the Father’s joy. May we, His daughters and sons, live in such a way as to bring joy to heaven.
Until tomorrow, let us all love well.