Key Change

No matter how many times we visit, I am always amazed at the beauty of Big Sky and Legends Ranch.  As we pulled into the driveway I couldn't help but smile with the joy of feeling at "home".  The first Christmas after my mom passed away, we were invited out by my gracious aunt and uncle to spend the holidays with them.  As hard as the first Christmas was without Mom, Legends provided a place of healing and comfort.  It has continued to do so over the past two years and I am so thankful for God's continued blessing upon our family.

Our flight landed in Bozeman late morning and we spent a majority of the day doing some last minute Christmas shopping.  The weather was beautiful--what my aunt likes to call "Big Sky Blue":) and the sunshine provided some vitamin D I have been missing back in WI.  We eventually headed out of town and up into the mountains, arriving at Legends mid-afternoon.  It has been relaxing to say the least ever since.  We picked up a beautiful Christmas tree, one that takes up a larger part of the living room--and I spent the latter part of the evening sitting by the fireplace lost in a book.

This afternoon as I was browsing the bookshelf, I decided to sit down on the nearby grand piano.  I haven't touched one in years--I still harbor some bitter feelings after being "forced" to play for 7 yrs by my loving parents...:)--but found myself opening the pages to a Christmas carol.  I surprised myself at how quickly I remembered how to read notes and anyone within a listening ear's reach, could probably have hummed along.  I only stayed for a few minutes, but left with a strange feeling of accomplishment.  Any one of my students could've probably played what I had, but still I walked away feeling proud and it got me thinking.  I didn't sit down and play with perfection, but instead worked through each note, often pressing the wrong one, hearing the mistake, and then searching for the correct key.  After several attempts  and a little perseverance, I would play the whole song, each note contributing to a beautiful melody.  I began to transfer this lesson within my own life.

When I think back to my years of piano, I most often recall feelings of frustration and impatience.  I wanted to become Mozart, but didn't want to put the time and practice into it.  Eventually I would convince my parents to let me quit and take up ballet instead.  I realized today, how often I do this in other aspects of my life.  I try something new, then get frustrated and give up or doubt my purpose or need within that given task--something I need to work on.

I believe God has our life written out before us, similar to a piece of music.  We simply have to work through each "note" believing that in the end it will create a perfect melody. I realize that sounds super cheesy and new age, but hear me out.  In music you have sharp and flat notes, which by themselves sound downright wrong.  But when played with other notes, creates a beautiful chord. In life we may feel like the situation or "note" we are facing is too painful or off-key.  However it is needed to shape us into better people--to bring us to the place in life God wants us to be.  We simply need to trust that He has created a beautiful future for us--to play each note regardless of how we think it sounds--to persevere through each hardship knowing that it is molding us into better people--and to rely on him for strength and comfort through it.

I told you, Legends is a place of healing and reflection--I am so thankful to be here this week.  Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and remember the real reason to find joy in this holiday season.  God Bless and Merry Christmas!!! XOXO

Caught on camera:)