'Tis You That Are the Music

 These are the lyrics to one of the pieces we performed this evening at the Concert of Festivals in Visalia, with the Mt. Whitney choral department.  I love these words!  The music is equally beautiful.

‘Tis you that are the music, not your song.
The song is but a door which, opening wide,
Lets forth the pent-up melody inside,
Your spirit’s harmony, which clear and strong
Sings but of you. Throughout your whole life long
Your songs, your thoughts, your doings, each divide
This perfect beauty; waves within a tide,
Or single notes amid a glorious throng.
The song of earth has many different chords;
Ocean has many moods and many tones
Yet always ocean. So is this
One music with a thousand cadences.

‘Tis you that are the music, not your song.
The song is but a door which, opening wide,
Lets forth the pent-up melody inside,
Your spirit’s harmony, which clear and strong
Sings but of you.

Reading list

I finished "Introverts in the Church" and am about to start another book I just got... "Walking with a Shepherd" written by a fellow pastor's wife and internet friend.   Some of the things she has been through are similar to what we have gone through.  I'm hoping what she's learned will help us! 

I also have a good ole mystery novel to read.  It will be refreshing to read something purely for the entertainment value. 
Once the Olympics and the busy concert schedule is over in a few weeks I'll have more time to read (and clean house, and catch up on a million other things.)

Change is always hard.
Deaths...
Jobs....
Transitions....
Adjustments....
Graduations....
Questions....
That sense of wondering if the ground will ever stop moving long enough so we can stand firm again in something familiar and predictable.
We've been through many changes in the past 6 months, and more are coming.... ugh!

But
it is in those many uncertain times when you find out what is truly solid.
The words to this hymn help me.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

"When deep injury is done to us, 

we never recover until we forgive...
Forgiveness does not change the past, 

but it does enlarge the future."

Making Changes

I painted part of my living room last weekend.  I'm going "bold"... 3 walls (smaller ones with windows and book case) are "Pinot Noir" (Burgundy color).  The other walls (my living room has several walls) will be a beige.  The ceiling will be "Irony" (off white).  We hope to eventually get laminate flooring (that will have to wait!... a long while!).  Jim spent the day framing in an old window to make a wall (half-wall) in our dining room.  It's fun to finally make some changes we have been pondering for a LONG time.