Musings
Turn It Beautiful
Several years ago I read a fiction book about pirates by A.S Peterson that upended my world.
The book chronicles the relationship between a young girl in an orphanage who struggles with bitterness at being abandoned and a grandfatherly cook who takes her under his wing. But this seemingly timid elderly man has a dark history. In his younger days he was criminal who did many unspeakably wretched, horrid things he now deeply regrets.
He carries with him two personal items: a blunderbuss pistol and a violin. The first reminds him of the despicable things he has done and the life he left behind. An instrument of death. The latter reminds him of the changed man he has become. An instrument of life.
The bitter girl asks him how he can deal with his shame and guilt. And he responds by picking up his violin and saying: “You have to turn it beautiful.” He plays his soul upon the strings and turns his grief and regret into a gift of song for others. The bitter girl doesn’t believe him and goes on a journey where she sees her bitterness eat her alive… until she picks up the violin for herself.
And she learned to Turn It Beautiful.
That phrase has been haunting me. When I’ve been discouraged or desperate, that phrase has lifted me. I’ve cried out to God — change my pain into song!
Turn It Beautiful.
And sometimes I want to stew in my misery, worrying about details far beyond my control. I want to beat my fists and yell THIS ISN’T FAIR. When do I get a break from this pain and suffering?!
Turn It Beautiful.
And the manifestations of my chronic diseases and illnesses slam me wave upon wave and I just want to wave a white flag and say “I’m done.” I can’t fight anymore. It’s too much effort to keep fighting forward or to maintain status quo.
Turn It Beautiful.
And then I recognize the blue sky, the birds chirping, the deep green leaves, the smiling faces of friends and family, the gracious patience of a God whose passion is redemption. There is beauty to be found, if I have the eyes to see. So with courage, I raise my voice and sing my song.
And I learn to Turn It Beautiful.