My husband James plays the harmonica, but prefers to whistle. Whether it’s a hymn, an old pop song, or a movie theme song, he can whistle a beautiful melody anytime, anywhere. During weekly family worship with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, because of the small font in the hymnbook and his poor eyesight, James simply closed his eyes and whistled to join our son’s guitar accompaniment. Even when James has never sung a song before, he can often listen and match the tune.
For many years I have envied James who taught himself to play the harmonica and whistles. He makes music with his heart, ears and mouth. Although I have learned pipa, piano and vocal music, I have never been able to whistle; no matter what, I can't even make a sound other than a whirring
In recent months, I have experienced severe pain in my lower back and middle back, including muscle spasms in my chest and ribcage, especially when getting in and out of bed. I had difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat... and poor sleep quality. I was eventually diagnosed with spinal compression fracture. Severe pain and cramps are caused by every muscle working extremely hard. Eventually I had to wear a special back brace to protect and help my spine heal. I had no strength to do anything.
During this period, James took me to visit family doctor, orthopedics, cardiology, physical therapy, and various types of tests and scans. While leading Bible studies and preaching as usual, he did all the housework. I felt sorry that I had burdened him, and I worried that he would get tired and fall ill. Sometimes I felt very sad and disappointed. I had just retired, moved, and reunited with our son and family. I really didn’t understand why I fell sick at this time. Sometimes I feel resentful and unwilling to lose my health. I am afraid of not having the chance to see my grandchildren grow up.
Thank God that James took care of me without complaint. When I was depressed and felt useless, he would ask me: "Do I have to seek your forgiveness if I am sick?" He also reminded me of our retirement and interstate move, pointing out how the smooth transitions are all by God’s grace and timing. "Think about it, if we were still living in California and you were so seriously ill, would I want to move? Could our son, daughter-in-law and grandkids come to visit you so often?"
Every day, apart from sleeping, eating, receiving treatment, slowly pushing my walker back and forth, and doing simple rehabilitation exercises, I seemed unable to do anything. But when I saw James doing housework step by step with ease, and heard him whistling while he worked, I gradually felt relieved. Yes, things are tough right now, but everyone has difficult times in their lives. Really, I am so grateful to be alive. For my family, for my health, for everything I have, and if the Lord is willing, I want to live well.
I began to recover in peace day by day reading Scripture, praying, enjoying the presence of our Lord Jesus. When I was tired, I would go to bed. If I couldn’t sleep, I would take deep breaths and recite Scriptures. When I woke up, I would listen to hymns or Bible readings, and walk slowly. This is how I realize the Lord’s good will. The Lord’s grace is sufficient for me, and it is new every morning. One day, I told my son that I couldn’t whistle and I could only whir. To show that I really didn't know how, I pursed my lips without thinking, and unexpectedly made a sound. It was incredible.
I continued to practice whistling, and I was able to whistle a simple children's song. Even though it was not tuned well, my grandchildren could still guess what song it was. After a few days, I started to whistle "Count Your Blessings" with lyrics written by Johnson Oatman Jr. and music composed by Edwin O. Excell. Here is the first stanza and the refrain:
"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done."
