You Gotta Start, or Restart, Somewhere!

Posted on June 13, 2007
Filed Under Responsibility, Goals, Fulfillment, Work, Faith |

Okay, so maybe if I say this publicly it’ll stick: I start taking piano lessons today. Wait, let me rephrase that, I start taking piano lessons again today. The road back to the piano has been a long and winding one, but I’ve come full circle, darn it!

Years ago, I’m talking years ago, I took piano as a child. Mrs. White was my teacher. She was scary, smelled of cigarettes and fried food, and was really, really eccentric. To a kid in Middle School, she was the last person I wanted to hang out with for an hour a week. I convinced my parents that, in spite of my notable progress, the piano just wasn’t for me. I told them that, instead, I wanted to dance. Yeah. Dance. Me, with my 5’3”, rather stocky frame, a dancer. Yeah, right. So I quit playing the piano and ignored the words from my mother that would eventually, like today, ring true; you’ll regret it one day. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

My love affair with the piano has been, regrettably, a lot like my love affair with God. There have been times in my life when we have, as the result of me sitting before Him, spending time getting to know Him and allowing Him to teach me, made beautiful music together. Then there have been times where I have resented and rebelled against the discipline He requires, the time He asks for and the daily practice of patience, faith and sacrifice. I wanted the blessing of maturity “now” not after daily, faithfully unwaiveringly practicing His presence. Just like I wanted to play the piano beautifully “right now,” not after hours and hours of practice.

But, you know it’s funny, even though I’ve wandered from the piano, I’ve never wandered too far from the music it makes. I’ve managed to write songs banging on a few keys here and there, and I just can’t stay away from worship teams or choirs, all singing along with the sound of the keys. The piano has never really left me. Just like the presence of God when I, disgruntled and disillusioned, walk away foolishly believing I don’t need Him – He’s still there holding me, supporting me, loving me beneath the other noise of my life. So here I am again, taking piano lessons. I’m so grateful for second chances. In all things.

Peace and Blessings, Nicole Walters