I haven’t heard Brian Crain’s Piano Opus since I wrote things from a tiny rent house right outside of Houston, TX.
Back then, I’d rise early before the children stirred and I would scribble out whatever bubbled up. The room would be lit by a single dancing candle and the glow of my laptop.
It felt sacred, holy, right.
So when I found Piano Opus by accident today and decided to play it while I wrote, the first several key strikes sent my mind to years past, and it’s made me leak a little.
I’ve long listened to piano music while writing. What’s odd is, whenever I envision myself sitting down to write, in my mind’s eye I’m sitting and working in front of the keys of a piano rather than the keys of a computer. The screen is still there, it’s just attached to piano keys instead of some type of typing apparatus. Weird, considering the fact that I’ve never played the piano, though I always did want to.
Am I “making music” when I tap keys?
I hope so.
Since my heart is pondering the past, I think I’d like to share something from that season. A few things, even.
I’ll post one, and link a few. Maybe leave me a comment to tell me which one struck you the deepest today?! Blessings to each of you.
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~Our Edges, originally posted September 8th, 2016~
There’s a cluster of fire carnations on my table…gold and crimson in a recycled glass jar all bunched together, lighting my life up.
The budget doesn’t always allow a stop at the flower counter, but when I passed by this miniature variety at the grocery store, they had a fierceness that I felt like I needed.
So now here they sit, in all their brilliance, reminding me to be brave.
They are a bright yellow on the inside, pure, soft, encouraging.
But they ignite along the edges. A strong, fine red lines the fray. And they give off this intensity that sends me.
We women, we should want to be easy, moldable, movable at our centers. We should want to have a heart that feels, and nurtures, and gives off glory to the ones we pull close – but at the same time…
We should embrace what’s along our edges.
Maybe it’s hard experiences that put some wild, beautiful color along our margins. Maybe it’s deep-seeded hopes we hold that trim us with a strong, vibrant hue. Maybe He made us with a bit of a kind viciousness, a good and righteous grit, that forms this deep tint on our outskirts.
I like it.
In you and in me.
We can be loving, accepting, graceful…
While still being tough, able, and resilient.
It’s good. And it makes us meet all kinds of people and occasions with rapt energy and effectiveness.
I hope your Thursday reminds you that you have been made with a high purpose, no matter how low the serving may seem today. It’s all gold in the eyes of a God who knows and sees you completely.
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Want a little more?
Click here for a post on joy, or the lack there of.
Click here for a post on home, parenting, purpose.
It is my prayer that something struck you, comforted you, awakened you here while reading today. Have a happy weekend, kids.
Katie, I love that you live your life with eyes wide open. And you are definitely making music and moving us with your artistic words. Each of the posts you listed tugs at my heart. Keep doing what you’re doing… making music and touching hearts with your words as you stroke keys! Love you!