Raw Emotions

His hands skimmed the keyboard tonight as they have for years.  Each finger comfortably finding its way to the next key...effortlessly.
His voice had a raw texture that is hard to describe, but so easy to enjoy.
The music and lyrics were familiar, but his soul made it brand new.
I've known him as a person, a friend, a cherished member of a beautiful family.
Tonight, I had the pleasure of seeing him in a whole new light.
I got to see his soul.
As he humbly performed his music for us, I was moved to tears.
Watching him, I could feel how much he loved music.  It was palpable.
As the tears streamed down my face, I wondered why I was having such a raw and powerful reaction.
I know why now.
It is on the rarest of occasions a person is allowed to see into the soul of another.
It is vulnerable.  It is intimate.  It is unexpected.  It is beautiful.
His talent and passion poured out as he played and sang and moved my soul to a state of awe.
Surprise and embarrassment overcame me as I found myself in this strange and spontaneous place.
Those feelings were quickly replaced with gratitude for an opportunity to react to something so beautiful.
Raw emotions.
They can oftentimes be painful and unwelcome.
Tonight, I embraced the authenticity of how I was feeling.
It was refreshing to be able to enjoy another person's talents and allow it to take me emotionally wherever it could.
It took me to gratitude.
It took me to a place where judgement or pretense didn't exist.
It took  me to joy.
God gave this man his talent.
Whether or not he knows it, God used him tonight.
God touched my heart through his music and his passion.
Dear friend, thank you for sharing this beautiful part of yourself with us tonight.
You are blessed and have blessed me beyond any expectations I had for this day.
I pray that you will continue to share your rare and soulful gift to others...it will bless them.
Thank you for your music.
Music has power beyond what we can understand.  God gave it to us for our pleasure.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see God through you in such a beautiful way.
God bless your hands.  God bless your voice.  God bless you.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, sing and make music in your hears to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:19