The practice of scales solves the greatest number of technical problems in the shortest amount of time. (Andrés Segovia, Spanish classical guitarist).

Remember when your mother insisted that you take piano lessons? Many of us started but soon gave up. The repetition of playing scales was just too boring. When we hear talented pianists today, many of us regret that we didn’t stick with practicing. Persevering through those dreadful scales might have rewarded us with hours of enjoyment at the keyboard.

Jesus: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).