Brad Wilcox - Practicing for Heaven

Text 2015 Bradley Ray Wilcox and Deborah G. Gunnel Wilcox Family Trust and Wendee Wilcox Rosborough

Illustrations 2015 Brian Call. Christ in the Red Robe by Del Parson Intellectual Reserve Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company, at permissions@deseretbook.com or P. O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130. This work is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church or of Deseret Book Company.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wilcox, Brad, author.

Practicing for heaven : the parable of the piano lessons / Brad Wilcox.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-60907-997-0 (hardbound : alk. paper) 1. AtonementThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2. PianoInstruction and study.
I. Rosborough, Wendee Wilcox, author. II. Call, Brian D., illustrator. III. Title.

BX8643.A85W565 2015

242dc232014031430

Printed in China 11/2014

R. R. Donnelley, Shenzhen, China

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

G race is not the absence of Gods high
expectations, but the presence of His power.

It is help we receive from God even though we
dont deserve or earn it.

It covers our debt, changes our hearts, and strengthens us to keep tryingno matter what.

see Ether 12:27; 2 Corinthians 12:9;
Doctrine and Covenants 17:8; 78:7

To Maxine Cameron,
a wonderful pianist and an even better example

BW and WWR

For Ralph and Leon, who taught me and put me on the path of becoming an artist.

Bc

D avid stared at the piano. His limp fingers rested on the keys, but they made no sound.

Mom called from the kitchen, I want to hear some practicing in there!

W hy do I have to practice? Anything would be better than this! David moaned.

Even cleaning the bathroom? Mom said, smiling, as she popped her head around the corner.

Maybe, David mumbled, frowning.

M om entered the room and put her arm around her sons shoulders. Ive already paid Mrs. Lundell, and I dont want to see you waste this opportunity.

But its hard, David complained.

I know, Mom said. It was hard when I learned how to play, too. But this is what you wanted, remember? You wanted to learn to play the piano like your friend Ethan.

D avid looked up at his mother and said, But Mom, Im just not very good. I keep hitting the wrong notes. It takes me forever to get it right. I dont know if Ill ever play like Ethan.

Mom sighed. Anyone who wants to play well has to practice. Just keep practicing and I promise youll get better.

But I dont even care about getting better. There are lots of other people in the world who dont play the piano!

Thats true, Mom said. But this isnt just about playing the piano. Its a lot bigger than that.

David looked at his mom, puzzled.

M om motioned for him to scoot over on the bench so she could sit. During the next few years, there might be times when you want to give up on things that are much more important than the piano. Youll need strength to keep going, and thats when youll need to turn to Him. Mom pointed to a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall.

David still looked confused. What does practicing the piano have to do with Jesus?

M om chuckled and asked, Who paid for your piano lessons?

You did, David said.

And because I paid for your lessons, I can ask you to practice, right?

David nodded.