Predictable or Unpredictable

Ever since my grandson, Payton (now 18), was just a little guy he’s loved playing the piano. It started with my husband who could play anything but loved Christian music and jazz. "Little" Payton jumped on the piano bench to plunk out notes while Papa played. The first song Papa taught him was “Chopsticks”. He learned those one-finger-at-a-time-notes that were easy-peasy and Papa would play the full chords that were in-sync with Payton’s one-finger notes. "Chopsticks" was called “Chopsticks” for a reason. It was choppy and predictable.

I’ll admit it’s comfortable for life to be predictable. Every time Papa would sit down at the piano, it wasn’t long before Payton wanted to play more and learn more. It was such a beautiful tribute to my husband’s life as his mentor, teacher, and beloved “Papa” when Payton played “Fur Elise"at Papa’s funeral. All were in awe at that 10-year-old boy who was fearless and well-trained, to play for such a large crowd with absolute perfection.

Today, Payton not only loves to play the piano, he's a piano teacher. Yesterday I went to their home for lunch and as so often heard in their home, was music-to-my-ears as I walked to their front door. Payton was playing some jazz music – one of Papa’s favorites. I knew he was serenading me. Yesterday would have been our 52nd wedding anniversary. Jazz music is unlike the predictable notes of a memorized song like “Chopsticks” or "Fur Elise". Jazz music is unpredictable. A jazz pianist will just “flow”. Their emotions are translated into beautiful innovative riffs, cool tones, and complex rhythms.

Jazz is an effective way to describe discipleship. We like to know what's expected of us and we like to know the how-to's, the when-to's and where-to's -- like the notes and simplicity of a song like “Chopsticks”, but a jazz musician will just sit down at their instrument and play from their heart and soul. Life is so unpredictable and we want someone to teach us everything we need to know, but we simply can’t know everything. Our faith journey is about preparing for the unpredictable and then going with the flow of that beautiful music that is playing on the inside that comes from a heart full of faith and trust in God's flow.

I heard that listening to jazz music has benefits for our health. The rhythms can bring natural relief for mind and body. Studies show that just 45 minutes of soft, slow music like jazz before bedtime results in better and longer night-time sleep as well as less dysfunction during the day. It also reduces the intensity of migraine headaches and reduces chronic pain. No wonder that King Saul's tormented soul was soothed when David played his harp for him. "Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." 1 Samuel 16:23.

In the atrium of the Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa was a beautiful grand piano. Even though in tremendous pain, before my sweetheart would go in for treatment, he would somehow muster up the strength, while sitting in his wheelchair, and draw a crowd as he played the piano which relaxed him for the treatment up ahead.

Honestly, this post is far more important than styles-of-music. Of course, we live our lives with necessary routines. But it is also about living our lives with an absolute abandonment of worry and stress and tension to free-flowing in God’s grace and mercy, knowing that whatever music we’re playing or life circumstances we’re living with, being completely aware that our great Teacher and Lord is sitting at the piano bench with us 24/7. Whatever song we’re playing, He’ll be in-sync with us – making our lives a symphony of harmony and beauty when we go with His flow!

Sing and Walk

Pope Francis said “Singing is good for one's soul, so sing and walk. Christian life is a path, but it is not a sad path. It is a joyous path that is done singing and walking’, so SING and WALK!

Those words resonated with me. I’ve been doing that for a very long time. My Mama taught it to me. I watched her, in some of the toughest times with my sick daddy and her having to be the breadwinner for us – sing her way to joy and peace. Singing kept her on that joyous path that Pope Francis talked about. And, singing and walking – that’s me. I will start out walking and before long, I’ll be singing a tune expressing my love to God.

When I was actively running half-marathons, part of my routine included singing as I ran. I started with the letters of the alphabet: A – I’d sing something like “America, America, God shed His grace on Thee,” B – Bless the Lord oh my Soul and all that is within me; C – Count Your Blessings name them one by one, etc. Sounds crazy, but I assure you it would make those 10, 12, 13 miles go by so much faster. Even during the night if I have trouble sleeping, I’ll do the same thing (but not out loud). As Pope Francis said “sing and walk” and even in my case “sing and sleep”!

My music background started as a young child taking piano lessons. That served me well in being able to read music which helped me with learning to play the flute, being in the school and church choirs, then playing the organ and piano for our church, and with my husband, his sister, another young man and myself hitting the road as The Masters IV Quartet.

Our daughter became her dad’s protégé and he coached and hard-wired into her the gift and love for music. He was relentless in being sure those early signs of singing abilities were cultivated, and refined. And, as it turned out, God seemed to extract the best of us and infuse her with the above and beyond in musical talents. I can’t begin to tell you what it does for me and, I know, her daddy from heaven, to see her belting out love songs to God.

I recently read about the health benefits of singing – especially for our memory and elimination of stress. I understand that, because some of those songs I’ll sing when I’m singing the alphabet are old songs I learned as a young child. I get amazed how well I remember all those words. I’m sure you experience that, too!

I believe God hardwired all of His kids with the ability to sing. I’m not talking about being a virtuoso, but I am talking about a joyful noise like Psalm 100:1-2 -- “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.”

Paul the Apostle said in Colossians 3:16 “Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness. Sing to God in your hearts.” I love that. Another key to success in overcoming and winning in life is singing – and even if we don’t enjoy singing out loud, Paul told us….”Sing to God in your hearts.”

Just maybe you have hidden talents that aren’t for the big crowds, but they are for singing love songs to the ONE who longs to receive our love. Singing is a great way to express our love to Him Who, by the way, is the CREATOR of music. You ask me why my heart keeps singing, why I can sing when things go wrong, 'cause since I found the Source of music, I just can’t help it, God gave the song.

The Sweet Sounds From a Tuned Piano

SURPRISE!!! Happy Birthday, Payton! Yesterday was my #3 grandson's (in order of birth-dates) 16th birthday. That morning, I sent him a text that said, "I wish I were there to celebrate your birthday today, but we'll make up for it while we're fishing next week!" So, it was a big surprise when he came home from spending the night with a friend and saw me. I loved the outdoor decor' that made this day a really big deal for him.

What was an even bigger surprise than his Nana and the yard decor', was the gift his Mom and Dad gave him....a new ebony baby grand piano. Payton is a gifted pianist and though he's had a lovely antique baby grand, the sound and touch of this one takes his gift to a whole new level. The piano was delivered yesterday morning before Payton came home and when the technician played it, there was a key slightly off, so we watched him take the piano completely apart. It was quite the sight -- we'd never seen before.

All those intricate parts, when aligned so precisely, provide such beautiful tones for anyone who knows the art of playing. But if one of those parts is out of order, as beautiful as the other keys are, that one makes the others appear out of order as well. Once he pulled all the guts out, made just the slightest adjustments, bada bing bada boom, exquisite tones came from that piano. It became a masterpiece of artistry and engineering in their home.

That made me think about God's masterpiece creation, you and me. When we are in "tune" with our creator -- and being who He created us to be, we make beautiful, harmonious sounds and movements. He takes pleasure in hearing our praises and songs of joy to Him. But when His creation is "off" -- like our attitude that exudes negativity, anger, complaining, crankiness or are just plain out-of-sorts, then who He destined us to be, is not expressing the creator's intentions for His intricately designed, one-of-a-kind original. That's the time we need the Master Technician to tune us up, work us over, turn us inside out, and, though it may be painful, He will create in us the ability to make the most beautiful music that will touch the hearts of those around us with His love, His joy, His peace. We just need to submit to the Master Technician. We need to “Let go and let God” come visit us. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

Celebration Time in Texas

Day 252 of Photo Inspirations -- Celebration Time in Texas
I love making my trek to Texas for family fun and no matter how long it's been since I've seen them, my Payton and Alexia love to bring me up to date on their accomplishments since I last saw them. They always are ready to give me "a show". The very first thing Payton does is heads to the piano to play for me, and show me the schedule he has for playing for his worship team at church.

He knows what I love the most -- his piano playing is such a gift -- a chip off the ole' block...er.. key off the ole' piano -- straight from Papa.  This boy seems to know how to get to my heart....right from the start. AND, he always wears Papa's favorite cologne.  Be still my heart!

And, Alexia, with her wit and enthusiasm shows me "her" office and give me a tour of her bedroom -- that she so meticulously cleaned and organized for me to see.

What I noticed most.....is that since I was here last, the book shelves Papa made for Payton....before he was ever born, have been put up in this house -- one section in Payton's room with his vast array of outdoorsman paraphernalia and in Alexia's room -- those things that represent her "girly girl" ways.

When I went to "my room" (aka "the guest room"), Denise pointed out the scripture she had opened to in he Bible -- just for me.  Daniel 12:3 "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever."  She knows me and she knows my heart for being used by God to possess and convey His wisdom -- to shine bright for Him and lead many to Him.

It's just another trip to see my kids and grandkids....or is it?  Is it one of those sweet stop-overs on my pilgrimage to heaven -- to present me with so many joys as He can here, on my way to THERE!!  How sweet it is!
#Wallace64