New Friends: Kit Taylor

The Hudson Bar and Grill was fairly empty for 4:30. I checked my phone - I should have enough time to get a couple of songs played on the lobby piano before the scheduled pianist arrives at 5 o'clock - time to get my name and talent out there!
Ah, but I forget that my plans are fickle. As I walked through the front doors I spotted him - sharply dressed, with a vest and stylishly unkempt 5 o'clock shadow, he was rearranging the tip jar and setting out his albums. I was too late to play, but just in time to talk to the pianist!
I we exchanged names and started talking about show biz. Like most pianists, Kit showed enthusiasm and passion for the the one thing we had in common: music. He encouraged me to continue to talk to pianists, and to hand out business cards whenever possible (I had some on the way, but they've been delayed - of all the luck!). He also encouraged me to learn the top 10 most popular solo piano songs - songs like Piano Man, Misty, and other classics. If you know these songs, and have a couple of others to add on in between, you'll be set for life.
Kit invited me to stay around until 5, bid me good day, picked up his copy of John Grisham's The Associate, and retired to do some reading. Not to miss the chance to drink in the music of a master, I sat down to wait for 5 o'clock.
I was not to be disappointed. As the hour arrived, the sounds of a jazz standard flowed out from the grand piano, turning the previously diconnected sounds of the restaurant into a symphony of joyful busyness. I closed my eyes and watched the music in my mind's eye....

Fireside notes float,
unnoticed, like a spark
borne on a puff of fairy breath.

Must music always drift away?
Or does it stay,
Like a lonely mist of forgotten love?

Talents And Their Uses

Thomas Kinkade, known to the world as the Painter of Light for his astounding ability to bring the glow of reality to his work, is a devout Christian. His website, thomaskinkade.com, says this of his purpose:

"Kinkade credits the Lord for both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings. His goal as an artist is to touch people of all faiths, to bring peace, and joy into their lives through the images he creates."

Kinkade's talent is painting. His faith is in Christ. The effectiveness of his talent comes from his innate ability to create art that connects with our love for, and our appreciation of, beauty.

What is your goal, Christian? Does your talent touch people of all faiths? Too often we suppress our God-given talents in our impatience to see people converted. We often forget, God uses our talents to bless these people's lives. We worry and fret, trying to "make a difference for Christ", and we miss the opportunity to serve someone, to brighten their day, to bless them.

An interesting example of this is found in the music of one of the most famous classical composers of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach. His works are known world-wide, played, replayed and re-interpreted by countless musicians. He wrote many hymns, and much of his music is suspected to have orthodox Lutheran symbolism tied into the music itself; but the reason so many people could enjoy and relate to his music is because it transcended the traditional church service and was enjoyed by believer and unbeliever alike. The beauty of his music is lauded today, and his influence on people's lives is enormous, even though most of his music is instrumental.

Let's all learn a lesson from these and other influential Christians in history: don't fret and worry, searching for a mission or spiritual ministry. Bring your talents to the hurting, the hopeless, and the helpless, and direct all praise and honor to God.