Opus 5: Goodbye
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| Copyright 1998. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved. | |
Few words in the English language are as difficult to say or carry as much emotional weight as the word, “Goodbye.” The word implies the hope that we will meet again and the realization that we may not. One of the most difficult goodbyes I ever had to say was when I graduated high school. My parents decided for health purposes to move to Atlanta, Georgia. Now, all the friends from my childhood were miles away, and I was not sure if I would ever see them again. But through the years God in his kindness has seen fit to cross some of our paths.
I came to realize that people come and go throughout our lives. We can look back with fond memories of friends we had while growing up. We think, “What are they doing today? Are they married? Do they have kids?” We can have sad memories as well. “Why did he have to die? He was too young!” It seems that God brings people into our lives for periods of time, and then eventually sends us on our separate ways. But why is that?
Perhaps goodbyes are blessings in disguise. Without them the Hello’s are never so sweet! What a blessing to say “Goodbye” to my wife in the morning, work a full day, and come home to hear that welcoming word, “Hello!” from her precious lips! And even when a loved one dies, we have the hope that we will see them again someday when it is our turn to leave this life behind.
Copyright 1999. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
Opus 4: Growing Up
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| Copyright 1998. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved. | |
Life was so much simpler when I was a child. The most difficult decision I faced was, “What flavor ice cream do you want?” I thought, “Do I want bubble gum or black raspberry? What about peanut butter cup? Can I get that with M&Ms mixed in?” Mind you, this would go on for five to ten minutes. Were it not for my parents, I would have continued this discussion with myself until I knew I had the right flavor. It was like a moral dilemma for me. The funny thing is that when I finally gave up the debate I always ended up with chocolate.
I have to admit that I had a blessed childhood. I don’t deny that there were problems, or that my parents made mistakes. But the good they did far outweighs the bad. My dad faithfully got up early every morning and spent time with God. After dinner we had family time in the living room or at the dinner table. Mom loved us in a million ways and disciplined us when we needed it. If I was unkind to my brother or sister, she would make me write out fifty times, “Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32.” (I didn’t have to look that one up!) I feel very blessed to have grown up in the home where God placed me.
Sometimes, however, we look back and think of all the negative things that have happened to us. There certainly is a time and place to deal with those things through counseling or some other positive means. But when we dwell on those negative thoughts to the point where bitterness settles into our hearts, we lose sight of the fact that God brought us through those things for a purpose and with a promise. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT) We must not forget the many blessings that God gave to each of us throughout our childhood, even without our asking.
Copyright 1999. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
Opus 3: First Love
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| Copyright 1998. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved. | |
During my teenage years, I was considered something of a nerd. I loved computers, I was in the Rocket Club, and I received several awards for Science Fair projects. But, in my defense, I was also on the track and field team and the cross-country ski team. In college, I made it a point to explore new clubs and activities every semester. After all, life is an adventure.
But there was one thing that consistently plagued me through those long, interminable teenage years–unrequited love. I had a twelve-year crush on one girl. And when I got tired of feeling rejected by her, I pursued other young ladies. I laugh when I remember that over a period of one year I vainly pursued a dozen different girls. Perhaps I was a bit lonely? You know how it went, “Do you like me? Yes. No. Maybe. Circle one.” This was typically returned with a serious look of pity and the words, “Can’t we just be friends?”
One of these was a girl I met at a family conference in Tennessee. It was for her that I composed this piano work, trying to capture in melody my consuming thoughts and feelings for her. But it was not long after this that I realized she, like the others, was only interested in friendship. At the same time I was reading in Revelation: “I have this against you–you have left your First Love.” I recommitted myself and this work to Jesus Christ and named it “First Love” to remind me of how quickly I can take my eyes off of Christ and place them on other things.
Copyright 1999. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
Opus 2: Secret Place
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| Copyright 1998. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved. | |
I grew up on the county line between the towns of Ontario and Webster in New York State, just a mile and a half south of Lake Ontario. My father owned an acre of land, which was surrounded by woods on three sides. Across the street there was a small farm with a few beef cows, some chickens and goats, a few noisy guinea hens, and three dogs. I had many adventures exploring the farmland and the wooded areas. Just south of the farm a cornfield had been harvested; and, oddly enough, in the middle of the field was a small, round patch of woods.
As I walked through this patch of woods I saw squirrels running up and down a fallen tree trunk. I heard the subtle hum of bees high in the treetops, and I watched the chipmunks stuff their cheeks with acorns in preparation for the snowy winter ahead. I approached the other side of the woods where there lay a pile of rock that had been plowed up from the cornfield. On a flat, elevated spot I dropped my bag of books and sat down.
In front of me row upon row of bent, brown corn stalks lay interspersed with glassy puddles of water, each reflecting the golden hue of the setting sun. It was there that I marveled at a God who could have created such wonders. I sat there for hours at a time doing my schoolwork, reading the Bible, singing songs and developing an intimate relationship with God. It was there that I talked with God about my day. It was in that secret place that I caught a glimpse of what being in his presence is really like.
Copyright 1999. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
Opus 1: The Golden Road
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| Copyright 1998. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved. | |
In high school, I read a book by Lucy Maude Montgomery called The Golden Road. It was about a group of kids who got together in the summer, shared many great adventures, and then departed when the new school year began. The story deeply moved me as I, too, was about to part ways with my high school friends. So the name “The Golden Road” stuck with me.
During my freshman year at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, I struggled with depression. Like many college students, I wrestled with the question, “What is truth?” I had to come to grips with the fact that not everything I grew up believing was true. And it was through writing the poem, “The Golden Road,” that I began to see that God was actively working through my daily experiences to bring me to a place of maturity. He wanted me to grow up.
The apostle Paul put it this way, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11, NIV)
Copyright 1999. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
John Albert Thomas began composing original, melody-based piano works when he was 12 years old. His compositions have the simplicity and thinly-layered delicacy of Mozart, combined with a contemporary sound reminiscent of Enya, George Winston, and Jim Brickman. In 1995, John graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, with a bachelors degree in Music Theory and Composition. Upon graduation he moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he now lives with his wife, Rebecca, and their four children. John has released several solo piano albums, and continues his work on future projects. 
