When I was 16 years old and starting to discover songwriting, I was taking lessons on an old nylon stringed guitar that was constantly out of tune. My parents had bought it at a garage sale; it was painful to listen to. But it was all I had and I loved playing, so I wrote my first few songs on it and led a few choruses for my little youth group every Wednesday night. Until the week they surprised me by buying this Yamaha FG-345 with money they’d all pitched in. They presented it to me with a big fat red bow on the neck. I cried. Can you imagine? A bunch of teenagers giving up their meager dollars to buy their friend a guitar!? I felt so loved, so incredibly grateful.
I played this Yamaha all through high school and college, until after releasing my 3rd album when we decided it was time to invest in a guitar with electronic pickups and a little better sound quality for live performances.
But oh, the songs and songs I wrote on this guitar over the years. Some I’d give anything to dig up and hear again. Many that should never have seen the light of day (oh, trust me)! It holds such deep and sweet memories for me. I look at it and see a girl coming of age and trying to navigate the confusing, messy, beautiful young adult years by finding melodies and lyrics to sing. Or maybe–more likely–being found by them.
And here it is! Leaning against our piano, and still getting lots of good use in our home–by my daughter Abby, who’s been writing songs on it now for a couple of years. Or by my hubby, Abe; some late nights I’ll hear him playing it–working on a new chord progression softly while the rest of us sleep. Or I’ll pick it up and strum through a few chords of a new idea I’m working on. It’s got a beautiful, familiar warm tone I’d recognize anywhere. It holds visceral memories for me–I could never part with it.
This guitar reminds me that God knows what I need when I need it. I think He delighted in giving me that gift, and watching me discover my passion for writing songs and sharing them with people. I think He gets a huge kick out of seeing us doing what we love–and I believe He equips us not only for the sake of the work we do, but for the joy it gives both of us.
I love this.
beautiful:)
That’s a beautiful story Staci – thanks for sharing it. I love the music that you write – what an amazing gift from God! :)
Precious story and memories. Thanks for sharing. I believe that God delights in surprising us with the desires of our hearts and that he loves to use his children to accomplish this. :)
Nice story,my mom bought me a yamaha 345 in 1978,I played it wrote songs with it,and it was stolen in 1988,I would give anything to have another one couldnt beat the tone and the beautiful diamond markers