When I was four years old my mom enrolled me into Ms. Whitby’s School of Music where I learned to play piano for 14 years. During those years I could never have imagined how important those 88 keys would become to me.
The first question out of my mouth when we arrived at our home in Thailand was, “Is there a piano here?” After being told yes I was beyond excited. I went downstairs to find a 44 key keyboard with no pedal. It was a little disappointing, but I would make it work. The days went on and I found myself craving the feeling of 88 real ivory keys under my fingers.
Half jokingly, I began praying for a real piano. One big enough to fit my classical songs on, with a pedal that creates a sound I missed so much.
Which brings me to tonight. My teammates decided to take me out for a birthday dinner because we’ll be traveling on my actual birthday. Italian food – my absolute favorite. When we walked into the restaurant I teared up. On a stage stood a Yamaha grand piano. The full 88 keys. Ivory. With a pedal. The server told me I could play it, so I sat down and played every song I could think of. I can’t describe the feeling; it was like I was playing my heart back to health.
Then I ate some delicious pesto pasta and peach tea. After dinner my teammate Sabrina asked me to play one of her favorite songs (Fix You by Coldplay) before we left. So we went back up to the piano and I played as we sang along. Before I knew what was happening, the owner of the restaurant opened up the piano, set up a mic for me to sing into, turned off the restaurant music, and turned on a color changing spotlight. For about 45 minutes I played and sang random songs for the whole restaurant, some of them with my teammate Claire (apparently we were played over the speakers in the bathroom too). It was the strangest and most fun turn of events.
Tonight God showed me how much He cares for what I care for – no matter how silly it may be. How personal of a God that He would care that I missed piano so much. How great a God that He would give me so much more than what I desired. Sometimes I get caught up in the idea that He has more important things to do, after all there is a world that needs saving. But He shows up in funny little ways to remind me that He is here with me and He loves to see me so filled with His joy.
I’d like to thank my whole team for making my early birthday truly the best night. I love you guys 🙂
