Me, Imperfect Me

“Adam, please teach me how to sing.”
“Ha?”
“Adam, please teach me how to sing.”
“What?”
“Adam, please teach me how to sing.”
“Say that again?”
“Adam, please teach me how to sing.”
“Me?”
“No, me. Ah. Yes, you! Please teach me how to sing.”
“Are you trying to make me laugh?”
Silence
“Omaygash. Youre serious.”
“Yes.”
“Potehk.”

One of the brothers approached me months ago, making that request. Of all people, why me?

“Well, you have a beautiful voice, you know.”
“My gosh, is something wrong with your ears? Have you seen the doctor about that?”
“Nothing wrong with my ears. With my vocal chords, yes.”
“Potehk.”

He asked me many times, and every time he did, I always had an excuse to say No. Why me? Of all the brothers in the house that could sing, why me? I hope he would ask Fr. Ken to let him go to a professional singing instructor. I did everything to make him change his mind (practical things, like, singing out of tune in purpose.. etc.) but no, but no

“Adam, please teach me how to sing.”
“You have great please-ing powers you know.”
“And you have great No-ing powers.”
“Potehk.”

Finally, I gave in. Guess what. I enjoyed our first lesson. It wasnt because I was very good as a teacher or he was very good as a student but because we both enjoyed it so well. I saw myself as imperfect, but he saw me as perfect. I knew my imperfections and he does too, but his trust on my ability to turn him into a singing man never blurred. It was as if he was telling me, you dont need to be perfect to share your talent with others. So in our lessons, we did nothing else but enjoy the lesson and enjoy each others company.

Then I realized: thats like God. He doesnt need people to be perfect singers to sing for him. He waits for those who are humble enough to admit their weakness and smallness and approach Him saying, Lord, my voice sounds like a croaking frog trapped in a mouse trap, but I will still sing for you. I smell a lot, but I still just want to be with you. Is that alright?

And with great love, He will embrace that man, saying, “OF COURSE! You dont need to perfect to open your life to Me. I will make you perfect, come here!”