I can only do this piece by piece, so right now, I will focus on this particular piece that resonated so strongly with me.
It was the morning of the show. My band and I would play for about 8 hours. Naturally, I was hungry. I started walking to find a place to eat, and I found one, picked up some food and took it to go. On my way back to my hotel, this place caught my eye mainly because of the baby grand piano I saw at the end of the room, but also because of the beautiful artwork on the walls.
I walked in and hopped on the piano for a bit, and then this man came up from his office down below to speak with me. We hit it off immediately. We start talking about music, and his gallery and the lovely artwork all over his space. Then I noticed these interesting looking t-shirts. When he began telling me about them, I had to stop him and ask him to start over while I recorded him with my phone.
What I love most about this place is the Black American connection to Africa. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Joyce Gordon Gallery.
After speaking, he said he’d try to make my show just a few blocks over, but they had an event at the same time. I sadly didn’t see him later, but I bought a few shirts and we have each other's details. Much more building will happen from here.
Not having eaten my togo food yet, I was even hungrier once I left the gallery. I wound up giving my food to a man on the street who was asking for money for food or coffee. I don’t bring that up to brag at all, but to denote that sometimes how we think our day will go is not how it will go. Sometimes it turns out to be something we like, like the encounter with my friend Eric at the gallery, and sometimes it turns out to be something we’d rather not do, like give up our food for someone who’s probably way hungrier.
The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.
-Proverbs 16:9
That verse used to be a theoretical one for me, and one that I loved to quote in prayer. Now, I still quote it, but it has a much deeper meaning. This scripture has been pretty consistently true in my life, even to the point of being very painful. I don’t always like the direction things seem to be going, but that’s just it; my steps are being ordered. And with all the discomfort and frustration that may bring at times, I cannot deny looking back that it was for my good.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Also, later that evening at the huge concert series my band and I headlined, Oakland First Friday, the Jollof food truck made it all worth the wait. 😋
There is much more to unpack from my time back in the Bay Area these past few days, but I will pause here for now. Needless to say we had an incredible time bringing the message of ‘Zion’ to Oakland, CA and we look forward to what will unfold the rest of this year.
Photo by Elle Jaye
Photo by Elle Jaye
Photo by Elle Jaye
Photo by House Verbal
If you ever make it to the Bay Area, come to the Joyce Gordon Gallery and give your support. Visit their website here.
And if you find yourself in or not too far from Stockton, we’ll be doing this again, except with a large orchestra with us on July 29th 2023. More details here.
Stay open. Stay focused. Be encouraged.