Sunday, September 13, 2009

" A Sweet Surprise "

Today at our church we were fortunate enough to have an outdoor service. It was an exceptionally beautiful day outside . And it was an exceptionally beautiful service.

Immediately following the service we all proceeded inside for our almost monthly pot luck dinner. We had fried chicken , salads , beans , vegetables and let us not forget the desserts !

It was a very nice dinner and we all were able to enjoy food and fellowship together .
Our church family .

As dinner started to wrap up , some members were all ready leaving . I think everyone was able to get some leftovers to take home . A day of no cooking for some of us . That's sweet .

As I was tying up some loose ends I became aware of piano music being played . It was coming from the sanctuary . I didn't pay much attention at the time , however I did notice how nice it sounded.

About this time some others were also hearing the music . My first thought was that it was our pianist , but I didn't remember seeing her there today . Pastor played his guitar as our accompaniment music outside .

What also went through my mind was that I didn't know of anyone else in our church who could play the piano like that . As I was leaving the hall with my leftovers I had to walk down the long hallway that leads to the sanctuary . By this time I had heard someone asking if anyone knew who was the young man that was playing the piano in the sanctuary . As I walked through the sanctuary to take my food out to my car I had noticed two of our ladies watching this young man play .

I brought my food out to the car and came back inside with my camera turned on to record . We found out that his name was Derrick Smith and he lives here in town . He said that he saw all of the cars in the parking lot as he drove by and decided to stop . When he came inside he saw our piano and just started playing . He doesn't read music . He just plays .

I do believe that God sent him to our church today .
How else would you explain this " Sweet Surprise " ?


















36 comments:

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I would say "amazing," but these kinds of gifts from God happen all the time. Now that Derrick has found your church, perhaps he will come back?

Diana said...

Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for visiting. These things may happen all of the time but I still think it's amazing,especially considering the timing. I don't know if he will be back. But I have a feeling. Love Di

Eileen said...

This was so beautiful, Di.
It really moved me. I'm glad you were there to enjoy it and I'm glad you shared it with us to enjoy!
Such a talent!

Let us know if he comes back again.

Also, 'glad you had a nice time at the service and the potluck!
Love you, E

Bernie said...

Oh Diana, how good is he? WOW and the way he found your church and the piano is amazing. So glad you had such a wonderful day Di, just what the doctored ordered.
I love pot lucks, just tasting all the different food....love it.
Hope tomorrow is just as wonderful my friend. Luv ya......:-) Hugs

Unknown said...

What a wonderful sweet way to complete the Sabath Day. There is nothing like beautiful music to fill your hear and sould with the spirit of God and good friends! What a sweet man to just stop by.. and make bring so many smiles to everyone's face that heard him. He must go home feeling so good... as well as you all did. Thanks for sharing...as a matter of fact, our lesson in church today was all about friendships..and of course I shared how important the friendship of the villagers is to me. It was a lovely day....hugs and miles of smiles :0)

Wanda..... said...

Good morning Diana,
I imagine that did give the day an extra special touch...He was very gifted...I wonder about his story and life...maybe he will return.

Smiles,
Wanda

Anvilcloud said...

What a treat for you. He plays really well.

Diana said...

Hi Eileen,
After I had left, Pastor was talking to him. He was very different and very humble. I am hoping he will be back.
I did get his permission to record him and post his playing on-line.
I will probably see pastor tomorrow and hopefully will know more.
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Bernie,
It was a beautiful day, but I always have a good day after church! It was really special with Derrick there. I kind of wished that he would have came earlier and more could have heard him.
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Linda,
We had asked Derrick if he knew any hymns and he said that if we could sing one he could play it. So I started singing Amazing Grace and he just went with it. He really was gifted. Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Wanda,
The ladies did ask him questions and we did find out more about his life but I didn't feel it proper to post all of this info at this time. If he comes back to our church perhaps I can do that in the future. It was just pure joy to hear him play! Love Di

Diana said...

Hi AC,
I had actually recorded more of him. We must have listened for about a half hour and than I realized that I had a serving of potato salad in the car for Katie and had to go before it spoiled!
Love Di

Pramoda Meduri said...

I'm happy to know that u had enjoyed alott..:)..enjoy every moment as every moment we live is special..:)

And thanks for the nice clipping ..wonderful , i would say :)

Rebecca said...

I'm sure there IS a story here. For now, just celebrate the talents and unique gifts and talents God has given to men and women. To have an "ear" to hear and reproduce music is a wonderful ability. As a piano teacher, I have come to realize that it is very, very difficult to teach a person how to play by ear. Without the "gift" the results are somewhat stilted and mechanical.

Tranquility Speaks said...

God has his own unique ways of making his presence felt :-) Glad you enjoyed your day Diana :) Felt great to just read your account. Loads of love, take care!

Gail said...

HIDIANA-

Oh my, I so loved hearing Derric share his gift of playing piano and how he came to just "be" at your church. Tis is such an inspirational, hopeful story. ANd as I read, and fill with tears I remember how much I loved being part of a "faith community" and I recall why that is no longer possible. And so I can experience it through you. Thank you Diana.

Love Gail
peace.....

Teresa said...

Wow! I read this and listened to Derek this morning and I was so blessed by his gift. Obviously from God, and it seems to me, he is being obediant to God's direction. This was very sweet...thankyou so much for sharing Diana! (((((Hugs)))) 555

Diana said...

Hi Prams,
It was a special day and there is more to it. I hope to post the rest soon! Happy you enjoyed the music!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Rebecca,
Another interseting thing, our pastor doesn't read music either and plays the guitar beautifully by ear!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Tranquility,
I do believe that God sent this young man to us for a reason. I just don't know why yet!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Gail,
I do love my church family , and while our church struggles with it's own problems, I can't imagine being anywhere else. How we found that church is a story in itself!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Teresa,
For some reason I keep wanting to call you T T ! I don't know why. Anyway he was really something. He played lots of different music and it was very enchanting!
Love Di

ethereal-lily said...

the music was very sweet. He is definetly blessed and sent by the Lord himself. Thanks for sharing it with us :)

Blessings each day said...

I have got to stop reading your posts and thinking I will come back to comment because then I am surprised when my comment that I didn't write isn't her...that's not even fair , is it?

Do you get to take home other people's food too? This just gets better and better! Did you have much potatoe sald left?

Love the fact that you had a wandering pianist drawn to your church...hopefully God was calling and he answered and will come back regularly.

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Anonymous said...

Di...I am a pianist...and I can tell you without a DOUBT this young man has a gift...a touch...a feel...and a heart for playing this instrument. He plays it from the heart...and his movements from one song to another are amazing!!!
I do hope that he comes back.
Thank you for sharing the video.
(Your piano is a beautiful-sounding one....very lovely!)

Diana said...

Yes Lily I do believe that this young man is blessed. I hope that we get to hear him play again!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Marcy,
Yes we always take home each others food, that's the best part! There was one serving of potato salad left and I brought it home for Katie. And one slice of P.B.& J. cake I brought home for me! She is allergic to peanuts!
The wandering pianist was amazing!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Jackie,
You can definitely tell that he felt the music. He really was gifted Jackie I wish you could have heard more. He played all different styles of music. I am really hoping that he comes back.
Love Di

Dr.John said...

They do happen all the time indeed. God sends special gifts to his people.

Barb said...

What a Piano Man! I gave him a standing ovation here in Breckenridge! That was an awesome finale to your special church service and pot luck.
PS I trust that the potato salad all got eaten?

Diana said...

Hi Barb,
It was definitely an unexpected treat! All but one serving of the potato salad was eaten. I saved that for Katie.
Love Di

Diana said...

Dr John,
This young man was indeed a special gift! Love Di

GinnySkal said...

Mom!
That is such a cool story. And he sounds REALLY good. Hopefully he'll come back to the church more often. Funny how things like this happen.

Diana said...

Yes Ginger Peach it is a " Sweet Surprise " !
Love Mom

Jerelene said...

Your potlucks look wonderful..and if you took potato salad and a cake...I'm sure it was even more delicious.. That is amazing that he just came in and played like that. I hope you all had a chance to talk and make a new friend. It was kind of him to stop and share his beautiful music with all of you!! And what a blessing it was to listen to! Hopefully he'll come back and bless you all with more lovely music!
I'm so happy that your knee is feeling better!!! That is just wonderful!!
Love, Jerelene

Diana said...

Hi Jerelene,
He and Pastor talked and pastor told him he could come back anytime he wanted to use the piano.
Love Di