THE GUITAR CASE
The old guitar case is beat up and ratty. It is so worn it is difficult to keep the acoustic guitar inside while carrying the failing housing. I watched our youngest struggle with it day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out. Sometimes I ย carry it to my truck for her and I have to hold onto the handle with my thumb and wrap my fingers over the side of the case to keep the guitar from falling out.
I’m not really sure how she carries that along with her backpack, extra books and binders, her lunch, phone, and pencils to round out the juggling act. I heard, “Dad, can I get a new guitar case?” more than once. The old guitar case that appears to once have been black and not crackled like broken glass, isn’t even hers. The music teacher advised her to use the well-past-its-prime case to help protect her guitar when she brought it home for homework.
Since the beginning of the school year, my daughter has been carrying the old crackled case. She didn’t want to. She desperately wanted a new hard shell guitar case, but couldn’t seem to persuade her dad of the seriousness of her situation. The pleadings at the beginning of the school year for a new guitar case were chock full of all kinds of clever gimmicks to persuade me of the horrible grief the old guitar case presented to her.
I’m old, but I remember being a freshman in high school, the same age of our littlest. I remember desperately wanting new clothes. I had two pairs of 501’s and a limited number of shirts. I didn’t do too much in the way of trying to persuade my mom into buying me more. I knew she would have gotten me more if she were able. I had more than my dad; the one who was doing the providing for all of us.
I recall caring a whole lot about what other people thought of me when I was my daughter’s age. I also think that some of the things that I never got gave me the best thing that I ever got… or didn’t get, as it were. It’s easy at this age to look back and see those things, but not at her age.
With time, our daughter has become less and less vocal about her desire to carry her cherished guitar in a new carrying case. She has figured out a couple of things. First, she is learning that it doesn’t matter too much what other people think of her. She hasn’t mastered the art, but she’s on her way.
I think she’s also figuring out that just because the outside of that case is beat up, worn out, and dirty, it still serves the good purpose for which it was designed; to protect the precious gift inside it. In time, she’ll figure out how that old case is like all of our soul cages… It doesn’t matter how old and worn we are.
The purpose of our human soul carrying case is designed by God in similar ways and it matters more about what’s on the inside and you can’t tell much about the inside of us by looking at the outside…
I hadn’t heard a peep about a new guitar case in months… She also learned that the longer and harder the wait, the sweeter the gift…
Her genuine “thank you” and beautiful smile were a dead give away.
Audra Krell
Sunday, January 6, 2013 @ 6:17 pm
So glad you finished with the surprise of getting her one, cause I was going to! She is just precious, with a beautiful heart and soul, inside and out. What a wonderful lesson and analogy. Dad of the year, you are.
Floyd
Sunday, January 6, 2013 @ 6:29 pm
Thanks, Audra. I’m not sure my little one would cast her vote in the same manner! She is precious though. You really know how to lift a person up. I appreciate your heart and encouragement.
Hazel Moon
Sunday, January 6, 2013 @ 10:06 pm
The wait was worth it all! I was going to suggest a big rubber band to go around the neck of the case perhaps to hold it together. But a new one – – well deserved is precious! Thank you for sharing this at Tell Me a Story.
http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 6:59 am
I didn’t even think of a rubber band! I should have! Thanks for letting me share it over at Tell Me A Story and thanks for the link for others, Hazel.
Lynn Morrissey
Sunday, January 6, 2013 @ 10:21 pm
What a sweet father you are, Floyd, to understand that even though the case itself doesn’t matter, your daughter’s feelings do. I think girls, especially, can be sensitive to these things–especially at her age. It sounds to me as if you are constantly cherishing her for what’s inside of her, and showing her how much you love her. You are tugging her heartstrings, and that is beautiful music indeed. And how wonderful that you are encouraging her in using hr gift of music. Many parents wouldn’t do that. As one whose father encouarged her to sing and mother encouraged her to play the piano, I know how vital it was to have parents who supported me in using my gifts. And I loved the analogy to our souls. They encase the living God. We are precious, because we are indwelt by Him. What an extraordinary truth! Thank you for a beautiful post!
Lynn
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 7:02 am
Thanks, Lynn. I’m not near perfect and probably push too hard sometimes, but she knows the Truth, and that’s what counts after all. Music is a wonderful thing to develop. I regret not spending more time and patience when young to develop it, but that doesn’t keep me from always having a song in my heart. That is a gift from God.
Maureen Jepchumba
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 12:51 am
I believe your daughter is learning the lesson well. I believe that is good parenting that many take for granted these days. In an effort of paying back for what we missed growing up, we end up raising children who don’t understand the value of gratitude and contentment.
God is so patient with us. Sometimes in our prayers we knock but experience those moments of a Father who is not listening…the actual fact is our Father listens and His answer is always best. We just need to tune in and listen to what He is saying.
Totally love the ending, a new guitar case – a happy father and daughter and a great lesson learnt for all.
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 7:06 am
I’m with you, Maureen. Hard work, diligence, and perseverance with the right attitude is becoming extinct in our society and we’re throwing away the most treasured of gifts from God; the gratification process. Even at my age I still strive to grasp this truth as I too long for things of the world, but that perspective continues to change as God provides more wisdom. Thanks for the insight.
Jillie
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 8:07 am
Totally agree with you Maureen. Even though we want to give our kids the things we may have lacked as children, it truly develops character when we must learn to wait. The ‘thing’ we thought we needed immediately, becomes much more valued and appreciated when we finally receive it. As they say, “The best things in life are worth waiting for.”
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:23 pm
Ditto to that. The best things we get are the things we don’t get. As we get older we realize that the longing and working for something is truly the best part of the journey. Thanks, Jillie. I’d forgotten that quote, good one!
April
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 7:50 am
Stephen’s had a few of those lessons over time as well. He’s slow to learn, but he’s only 11, so we’re getting there. But time shows that he does get it when teh month is really, really tight and he says, Mom, I’ll help with that.
But I love that you got her a new case! ๐
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
It’s a good lesson to teach our children. Having discipline to wait pays huge dividends with time. I know that I sometimes do probably more than I should. So often in this life, less is truly more.
Stephen is a great hearted young man and he’s getting the rearing God designed for him. We are all more blessed than we realize and time has a way of revealing that. Thanks, April.
Jillie
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 8:23 am
Hi Floyd! I’m glad to be back reading “more of your stuff”. This is a lovely post about you and your daughter and an old, beat-up guitar case. It’s funny, but when I see clips on T.V. of guys like Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen or James Taylor or any number of ‘the old guys’, I love the sight of their ratty old guitar cases. Those guitars and cases have HISTORY; CHARACTER; they have a story to tell. Like a special I recently watched on PBS about Woody Guthrie.
Probably if I saw a student carrying a beat-up guitar case in highschool, I’d think they’d been playing for years and years. I would sooo want to be them. My parents had no money for us kids to develop any musical talent we may have had. I have a guitar upstairs, in a beat-up case, that I’ve never learned to play, but always wanted to.
I’ve heard the love you have for your girl today in your story. Beautiful! Like a good song!
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:28 pm
Awe thanks, Jillie. That’s very nice. “Like a good song.” I like that. I do have the love of God for my entire family. God has blessed me beyond my comprehension. I’m like you, I wanted a guitar, but we had essentials mostly. I too have a guitar and learned a few chords, but without practice the strings hurt my fingers all over again!
I saw a video of Willy Nelson playing a guitar that was as beat up as that old case! Still sounded pretty good.
My guess is that you and I both have a love for music from God and always carry a song in our heart.
Thanks again, Jillie.
Jillie
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 @ 8:32 am
Actually, my husband often laughs about the fact that I’m “always singing something” around the house. I get that from my Dad. He didn’t give me much in life, but he DID give me a love for all kinds of music and he, too, was ALWAYS singing something around the house. He has a beautiful voice and I kinda wish he’d done something with it. I used to picture him using that voice in church, but my Dad is not a believer. Sad. He could bring such glory to God with the obvious gift he’s been given.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 @ 6:14 pm
I knew you had a song in your heart! What a gift and I agree, it is from God, whether any of us realize it or not. My guess is that God is using you to speak to your dad in love through your actions. I’ll pray. Thanks, Jillie.
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 8:55 am
Great lesson taught. Greater lesson learned. She definitely will have a greater appreciation for the case. You old softie. ๐ The greater lesson of protecting what is inside is so much more important.
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:30 pm
I’m with you, Bill. What’s inside is a miracle. Yeah, I can be an old softie at times… Thanks, Bill.
Dan Black
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 9:42 am
Amen! It’s all about what’s on the inside. It’s valuable to teach this generation the essential principle about the inside being more important then our image(outside). Great post!
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:32 pm
Thanks, Dan, and well said. Our society has become obsessed with the outside and place all the value on it. The true value of a person is their soul that is located within. Great call, Dan.
tcavey
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 10:17 am
The part about your dad brought tears to my eyes. My own dad used to wear jeans with duct tape on them and boots with duct tape on them to make them last longer.
In my hope chest, I have the torn flannel shirt he went to the hospital in before he died. It reminds me that hard work is worth it. Integrity is worth the pain. Nothing in life is free. Someone always has to pay.
Great post. So glad you’re teaching your daughter some hard but valuable lessons.
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
Thanks, TC. You and I share the same memories of our dads. I too remember my dad with duct tape holding his work boots together while I was wearing tennis shoes that were in pretty good shape. He didn’t care about what people thought of his thread bare work shirts either. How desperately this generation needs to see and hear of that attitude of people who measured their lives by their character. And I know it’s not much, but it starts with the smallest of lessons.
You grabbed a heart string here. Warm memories. Thanks again, TC. We are blessed indeed.
Jay Cookingham
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 10:31 am
Awesome dude…I was going to say…You sure are some case dude…but maybe I’ll let that pass. Maybe I’ll just say that your post hit a chord with me!
Seriously, you’re a great Dad and not just because you got your daughter a new case but you’re teaching valuable life lessons along with it. Glad I know ya!
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:39 pm
Thanks, Jay. Man, you have a way to make me smile and laugh that I truly appreciate. I love the way your noodle cooks!
It is the small lessons learned that help take care of the big ones, I think. I’m blessed to know you, brother!
Lisa notes
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 10:54 am
I feel like that old guitar case, but I don’t think I’ll be getting a new one anytime soon. ๐
Great lessons you were teaching your daughter from beginning to end. Way to go, Dad.
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
Thank you, Lisa. I’m not near perfect, but doing the hard things with our children shows more love in discipline than giving them more than they need. What we need comes from God and it is measured on the inside first… I too feel like that old guitar case… and now that I think about it, I’m kinda looking like it too!
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 1:13 pm
So true! Helping our kids find the patience to wait along with learning contentment and gratitude for what they have is incredibly important to our lives. I think that’s why so many of these kids with wealthy parents who give them anything they want right when they ask (or whether they ask or not) end up in such dire straits. It’s a beautiful thing to lead them on this journey–sounds like your doing a wise and great job, Floyd. Thanks for this.
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 5:43 pm
Thanks, Jason. We know so many people that fit that description to a “T”. I just shared with Lisa that it is easier sometimes to give them what they want, but that’s not love, that’s lazy. That’s taking the easy way out. I need to continue to press to find the greatest treasure that we have inside of us. It is a miracle and how I love to ponder that.
Kristin
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 7:47 pm
I KNEW in reading that you were going to get her a new one! ๐
Sounds like she is learning wonderful lessons and am sure she will be a strong, beautiful inside and out lady. She is blessed to be trained and loved so well!
Floyd
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 8:06 pm
I did hold her off, Kristin! We’re all blessed to know truth and the love of God. Thanks for reminding me that I’m a softie! I seriously appreciate the encouragement.
Betty Draper
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 8:38 pm
It sounds like your daughter has gained some charecter as she lugged that old case to school every day. Which means the gift of a new one will be treated well and her love for her Dad will deepen as she lives out these early lessons. I agree, you are a good Dad.
Soul cage..humm…really like that. I call it my dress of flesh that is tattered and worn but still usable. Good post brother.
Floyd
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 7:04 am
Thank you, Betty. She’s learning and I have to honestly give her mom more credit than me, but that is usually the case I think. The small lessons help shape our actions in the big ones. Whatever we call it, we know the feeling of it aging! Maybe we should start calling it our “Old guitar case?” After all, we are a song unto the Lord…
jake
Monday, January 7, 2013 @ 9:08 pm
An external locus of esteem is difficult to cope with, and nearly every child in high school is going through just that. Admittedly, there are a few people in my life whose approval I still vie for, but at least it isn’t everybody and fortunately, it’s not based on things like my clothes or whatever else. Oh man, to be young again and know what I know now ๐
Floyd
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 7:07 am
Amen to that, Jake! It is that experience that gives us the wisdom to know that we can live differently. To put away the ways of a child. Sure helps having a wise person of action to watch though. Thanks, old friend.
Loren Pinilis
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 1:52 pm
I love the analogy of a case to our bodies. Very thought provoking!
Floyd
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 5:39 pm
Thanks, Loren. I’m thinking of referring to my body now as an old guitar case… Could catch on!
Mike
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 5:15 pm
I often feel like that old guitar case. I can relate to your daughter’s desire for the new and better looking case. I look forward to God giving me a new case one day, although I’m not in a real big hurry. ๐
Floyd
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 5:40 pm
Too funny, Mike! I’m with you. I like the destination, it’s just the trip to get there that gives me concern! Although I should trust my Father… and that new guitar case I’m wrapped in is gonna feel perfect! Thanks, Mike, I always appreciate wisdom and humor mixed.
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 @ 9:30 pm
This is true: it matters more about whatโs on the inside and you canโt tell much about the inside of us by looking at the outside.
================
I DO have friends and family who see my inside frequently and know truly who I am… sometimes even knowing me better than I do.
Neat way to put the daytime reality of the guitar case with the spiritual forever reality.
Thanks.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 @ 7:33 am
Thanks, Joanne. Your heart can’t be contained in your body! Much less an old guitar case…
Nancy
Thursday, January 10, 2013 @ 10:04 pm
This made me laugh! I carried that same case for a long time, but there was no one to help me get another. I babysat, and did odd jobs until I could afford that protection. My music instructor told us that taking chances with an instrument was to disrespect it. Oh dear….did I ever worry…not about the appearance of my case, but about the chance that the instrument could be hurt.
Nice of you to get her a case!!! You rock!
Floyd
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 4:52 pm
Thanks, Nancy. I wish I did rock! But I can barely strum a few chords! It is what’s on the inside that counts. Like showing that instrument reverence, we need to show our souls and the One who resides within reverence. Welcome back! You’ve been missed!