Wanted: One Trombone

By Stephen Iijima As told to Geneva Cobb Iijima

When I was just a little kid, I'd look at Dad's old trombone case on a basement shelf and dream. Someday I would learn to play that trombone!

That day finally came, in fifth grade I began my lessons at school on the old trombone. I loved it, and practiced every night. The fact that the case was old and the tone of the horn wasn't very good didn't bother me - at first.

As time passed, though, I began to feel embarrassed about it. And, as my playing got better, I realized I couldn't reach high notes on the old horn. Mrs. Guthrie, our band teacher, suggested that I get a newer trombone.

I began to worry. How could I come up with the money? A new trombone would cost at least $400. My parents couldn't afford that: my sister's piano lessons were already a strain on the budget. My own weekly allowance for taking care of our two milk goats wouldn't add up to $400 for a long time.

Furthermore, every time I spoke about a new trombone, my brother Tim said he needed a saxophone and guitar. It looked hopeless.

So, I began to pray for a new trombone. And I wondered. What if God didn't think I needed a brand new horn?

A year and a half went by. I'd saved only $40. The next fall I had to have a better trombone. I'd be in the more advanced band and would have to reach the high notes.

One spring night I was really upset. Doesn't God think I need a trombone? I wondered. Are my motives right? I want it for the school band, and I also want to play it at church. That seems right.

But does God care whether or not my horn looks good? Am I being proud and selfish?

Should I pray for a secondhand trombone instead?

I asked myself these questions over and over. When Mom came down to my basement bedroom to say good night, we talked. "I think the Lord wants you to trust Him about the money you've saved," she said. "Let Him lead in how you use it and stop worrying about the trombone."

That made sense, so we prayed together. I sure was glad right then that we knew the Lord Jesus as Savior and could trust Him to guide us.

The next day I decided what to do with my $40. I sent $15 to India for flood relief and gave $15 toward our church building fund. With the last $10, I decided to buy some chickens. Perhaps I could raise chickens and earn money for a trombone that way.

That day a lady called Mom about some chickens she wanted to sell. I bought five at $2 each. I hoped they'd sit on some eggs we had and hatch enough chickens for me to sell. But - would you believe it? - those chickens refused to sit on the eggs.

Another friend gave me a hen that "wanted to hatch chicks." But when the hen got to our house, she wouldn't mother the eggs either! My chicken raising idea was turning into a big failure! And there was no trombone in sight!

"Keep praying, Stephen," Mom encouraged. "Remember, 'my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:19).

Then one scorching July day, I opened the newspaper and saw this ad:

"SNAPPY'S MUSIC SHOP: Going out of the Rental Business. All Used Band Instruments, Half Price. Buy One. Get another for a Penny."

"Mom, look!" I yelled, loud enough for her to hear on Mars.

Mom came running. When she saw the ad, she was almost as excited as I was. "We'll get there as soon as the sale begins tomorrow," she said.

The next hours were torture. Would they have a trombone? Would my parents be able to pay even half price? Would they be able to get a saxophone for Tim as the second instrument for a penny? Or (awful thought) would we get stuck in traffic and arrive in time to see another kid buying the last trombone.

The next morning we pulled into the parking lot at 10 A.M. (opening time). We rounded the corner to the store at 10:02. Right away I spotted trombones on the table outside - three of them!

"Try them out," the salesman urged.

"Right here on the sidewalk?"

"Sure."

The Getzen trombone was a beauty! It played easier than the others and had a great tone. And even though I was trembling, I could reach the high notes.

I looked at Mother. She understood. "We'll take it," she said.

"Choose another instrument for a penny," the man said, pointing to an assortment of clarinets, flutes, and trumpets. No saxophones!

Mom chose a trumpet. "We can trade it in on a saxophone later," she said to me. "Tim won't need it till next year anyway."

Carrying the trombone to the car, I knew for sure that God did care about things I needed. He had supplied my horn. And He even cared enough to make it a beauty!

Sometime later Stephen sold the chickens - plus a couple that finally hatched - for $20. And Tim did get his saxophone.

Originally published in Teen Power magazine (July 12, 1981). Copyright Geneva Cobb Iijima; reproduction without permission prohibited. Please contact Geneva Cobb Iijima for information about reprint rights.