This is the deep field of the heavens, seen through a very powerful telescope.

“God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light; and God saw that the light was good, and he separated light from darkness. He called the light day, and the darkness night.”—Genesis 1: 3-5

“Bless the Lord, my soul; my innermost heart, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He pardons all my guilt and heals all my suffering. He rescues me from the pit of death and surrounds me with constant love, with tender affection. He contents me with all good in the prime of life, and my youth is ever new like an eagle’s. –Psalm 103: 1-5

I have such a passion for music that it speaks to my soul in a way that the spoken word cannot. When I play piano, I’m not merely striking black and white keys on the keyboard. I’m hearing the lyrics, letting them flow through my heart and soul all the way to my fingertips where I can pour out my joy and praise in song.  No matter what the title, the songs I play for church services aren’t just a prelude–and they certainly are not a performance. They are an intentional act of worship. 

One of my great pleasures was getting to know the late, great church musician, Elmo Mercer, whose beautiful hymn arrangements I played—and felt in my soul—through the years. Some of the other talented and iconic musicians whose arrangements of hymns, spirituals, and gospel blues transport me to another realm are Mark Hayes, Jack Schrader, Joel Raney, Mary McDonald, and Andrae’  Crouch. 

One of my favorite Crouch songs was taken from Psalm 103.  The lyrics he penned insist that the pianist play with great attention and intention. When my hands are playing the melody, my heart is singing his lyrics: “Bless the Lord, oh my soul…Let all that is within me bless His Holy name.”

It’s easy for me to be intentional at the keyboard. It’s harder to carry that same intention into my daily life. It takes effort to wait in a long line at Wal Mart while I’m hurrying to another appointment then smile at the cashier and say, Thank you, for helping me, Jean.” Or John. Or Tashia. Or Benjamin. Jesus knows us by name, calls us by name. It only takes a second to read a name tag and make a person, who is often viewed only in terms of his job, feel seen.

It’s easy to pour my love into every song I play, but harder to pour that same love into family and friends I see every day, and in every mood, good, bad, and ugly. Absent-minded routine can open the door to behavior that is nonchalant, thoughtless, careless or worse. I’m trying to be intentional with family and friends.  Show love, speak love.  Make them feel seen. Be intentional with strangers on the street. Be kind, offer to help, say thank you. 

Most of all, I try daily to be intentional in giving thanks to God, to be mindful of the One who created a beautiful world then sent his only Son to cover my sins with his blood.

God is good.

Peggy