Be alert to the world around you | Greg Asimakoupoulos

Be alert to the world around you | Greg Asimakoupoulos

And Kenny G turned to me and asked my name…

At the end of a three-month assignment in Switzerland, my wife and I spent a weekend in Paris. On Sunday we worshiped in the American Church on the Seine near the Eiffel Tower. It was a wonderful experience as Christians from all over the world gathered in this centuries-old Gothic building. A black gospel choir led our praise. The sermon was given by a South Korean woman. The stained glass windows honored the universality of the Christian message.

As I left the church, I was inspired by Pastor Paik’s message, inviting us to celebrate and explore our artistic passions. Photography is one of my passions, and what better place to do that than Paris? I allowed myself to look for unique scenes to photograph.

The Pont Alexandre III caught my eye. Of the many bridges that span the Seine, it is the most artistic. It connects the Champs-Élysées district with those of the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. Looking up at one end of the bridge, I happened to see an angel figure holding a trident. It reminded me of our Seattle Mariners, whose season is off to a brilliant start. I pointed my iPhone at the figure and thought about sending the photo to my buddy Rick Rizzs, who is the Mariners’ live commentator.

As I walked along the bridge, I noticed that the stands were being set up for the upcoming Olympics. I continued my walk, knowing that across the river there were large statues of Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. As I reached the end of the bridge, I saw a small man with long, spiral hair standing at the railing, looking out over the Seine. He looked like someone from Seattle. Could it be him? Here in Paris? Was it really him? “Kenny!” I exclaimed.

And Kenny G turned to me and asked my name. We talked briefly. I told him we lived on Mercer Island. I explained that I played saxophone in college and then quit. He thanked me for giving it up. With a smile, he said I might have been a rival to him. Small chance.

After I agreed to pose for a selfie, Kenny reminded me that he still performs at Jazz Alley in Seattle every December between Christmas and New Years.

I continued across the bridge to get a close-up of Winston and Charles before rushing back to my wife who was waiting there. “Look who I just met,” I said, smiling as I showed Wendy the photo on my phone. She recognized him immediately.

When I posted the photo of Kenny G on my Facebook page, those who know me weren’t too surprised. I seem to have a reputation for bumping into famous people quite often. But I’m convinced that has nothing to do with who I am. I think it has more to do with me just being aware of my surroundings.

In Proverbs 20:12 we read these words… “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” In other words, God has given us the ability to pay attention so that we can become aware of life through what we hear and see. Through our ears and our eyes, we have the ability to perceive people and things that are worthy of attention.

When Wendy and I had just arrived in Switzerland, our hosts told us to look up as we walked through the medieval city of Lucerne. They didn’t want us to miss the nuances of artistic expression that most people miss when they only look ahead. I’m so glad they gave us that advice. The beauty we saw when we looked up was breathtaking.

I’m reminded of this line from a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “The earth is crowded with sky, and every common bush burns before God: Yet only he who sees it takes off his shoes. The others sit around picking blackberries, and unknowingly smearing their natural faces…”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a blackberry picker. I want to hear the music and see the beauty of the happy coincidences God has hidden for us (including musicians like Kenny G).

Guest columnist Greg Asimakoupoulos is a former chaplain at Covenant Living at the Shores in Mercer Island.