The kid at the piano

My friend Alyson (who is also married to a minister) shared this beautiful story/thought today and I asked if I could post it on Pocket Lint.

"i'm sure you've all heard the story about the kid at a famous pianist's concert who sneaks up on stage and starts playing a messy version of chopsticks on the grand piano. the famous pianist sneaks up behind him and begins to play too, transforming his banging notes into beautiful music, all the while whispering in the boy's ear, "don't stop, keep playing, you're doing great, don't stop." it's a powerful story and one of my favorites.

well, i feel like that kid lately. we've had a rough couple weeks both within our church and with unity with other churches in our community. my husband and i are trying to remain faithful, we are keeping at it, but feel like we are banging our heads against the wall.

however, all along the way, God has given us these blessings, sometimes really crazy things that are only explained by God's greatness and i feel like he is behind us at that piano whispering "don't stop, keep playing, you're doing great, don't stop." we're not doing great, our version of chopsticks sounds terrible, we're just banging on the keys. but God, in his infinite wisdom, is transforming our feeble attempt. and THAT makes it worthwhile."

This week I've been discouraged. I identify with the feeling of hitting your head against the wall on so many levels; our church, the kids, my writing...even my marriage. I need a good couple of weeks to catch my breath. I'd like to check in to a hotel and just sit and absorb the silence, to eventually reach for my Bible and gain perspective, encouragement, the pep talk as to why any of this is even necessary.

Right now I just want to crawl back in bed.

I so needed this piano story today. When I read Alyson's words my eyes teared up.

Life is as swift and high and low and curvy as Great America's largest roller coaster.

We played twenty questions today at our MOPS meeting. Someone was asked about roller coasters; fun or scary. The mom said that as a kid they were fun but as she gets older they get more and more scary.

Ain't that the truth?

I'll read and reread these words, Alyson. Thank you.