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Day 286: Contemplation


Songs without Words Opus 30, no 1. Contemplation by Felix Mendelssohn performed by David Barenboim

I am starting the day stretching to Symphony Number 4 by Felix Mendelssohn.  Very lively. It brings back to mind my early discovery of Mendelssohn. I loved flowing, arpeggios.  And in Mendelssohn I found a plethora, especially in his Songs Without Words.  One of my favorite pieces to play is Opus 30, no. 1. Interesting that the publisher titled this one Contemplation. I was a very shy child. Now I embrace my introversion. But I find it interesting that the piece I most identified as a young musician (I was about 12 when I discovered this piece), defined my personality.

Later in life, I was given an older Mercedes Benz 280 SE four door sedan.  I was a single mother, shuttling two young children around on the bus.  I loved that car! It was marroon. It even had a sunroof. I lovingly named it Mendelssohn after one of my favorite composers! Sadly Mendelssohn was not able to pass DEQ emissions, so back to the bus.  But I will always remember him fondly.

Today I am thinking about faith.  I often pray for stronger faith.  Something struck me in my reading this week from Breaking Free by Beth Moore.  Here is what she said:

Christ isn’t asking us to believe in our abilitz to exercise unwavering faith.  He is asking us to believe He is able."

On that note, my hymn of the daz is: "Hear What God the Lord Hath Spoken".
Words by William Cowper (1731-1800). Music by Henrzy Smart
(1813-1879)

1 Hear what God the Lord hath spoken
O my people faint and few;
Comfortless, afflicted, broken,
Fair abodes I build for you.
Themes of heartfelt tribulation,
Shall no more perplex your ways;
You shall name your walls, salvation,
And your gates shall all be praise.
2 There like streams that feed the garden
Pleasures without end shall flow;
For the Lord your faith rewarding,
All his bounty shall bestow:
Still in undisturb'd possession,
Peace, and righteousness shall reign;
Never shall you hear oppression,
Or the noise of war again.
3 Ye, no more your suns descended,
Waning moons no more shall see;
But your griefs forever ended,
Find eternal noon in me:
God shall rise, and shining o'er you,
Change to day the gloom of night;
He, the Lord shall be your glory,
God your everlasting light.
I am going to do my yoga DVD before heading in to teach.  I am stiff and sore this morning, but my mind is clear and alert!
Happy Friday!

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