Piano Guy

Recently I enjoyed a lovely family vacation  near Lincoln City, Oregon. It was amazing. The view of the ocean, the natural beach, the sound of the waves, ever-shifting weather-scapes, and of course quality family time were an incredible setting to celebrate Christmas.

It was also interesting to go back to the land of my youth--where waterfall hikes were common-place, and band trips took us to Seattle and British Columbia. Where I sold Christmas trees to raise funds for snow skiing in our school's winter sports program, and where I learned stick shift on hilly, forested back-roads. Where we camped at a local lake full of legends of extreme depths that contained everything from submerged cars to its own "monster." (Loch Ness monster-style). So many memories but so many changes. It felt like home, but it really didn't.

Then it was time to go. In the Portland airport, just past security, there is an atrium with a giant artistic clock, last-minute northwest wares for purchase, and...a guy playing the piano. Amidst the rushing people trying to make their post-holiday flights, the guy played and sang his chill-style covers. I guess the purpose was accomplished--to defy the hurry with a little relax. To bring some familiar to the concourse of unfamiliar.

I think the older I get, the more "home" is more like the music from the piano guy than a physical location. Its something that transcends a familiar landscape and even faces, as powerful as those are. It's an inner familiar peace that comes from connecting and surrendering to my Heavenly Father and Best Friend. He is not contained by time or space--so changing landscapes and people do not change Him or His faithfulness and love in my life. He is not confined to me and my world, but He invites me into His world, and I realize more and more that His world is where I truly belong.