The sun has gone down and the quiet of the night approaches. As I sit at my desk there is the beautiful sound of music weaving its way up the stairs and through the hall and into my office. Music that is filled with the power to heal and empower, comfort and inspire, challenge and unite. Music, instrumental and vocal, is what fills my heart this night. There are so many different ways that music comes into our lives and touches us with its many moods and motions.
On Sunday evening the youth group gathered and were invited to enter into a sacred drumming circle. The beat of the drum called us to join our heartbeats with the heartbeat of mother earth. As Laurie shared with us the story through word and song and dance we were blessed. As one of our youth said at the end “ there was a real sense of connection in this circle”. Through this music we were opened up to the pulse of the universe and invited into a place of right relationship. It was a powerful experience!
Today I was invited again into another sacred circle as I gathered with a family to plan for a celebration of life service. We did not sing or play any instruments but we talked about the music of our faith that speaks our story and touches the soul with promise and hope even in the midst of deep grief. We picked the hymns we would sing on Saturday and were reminded of the healing power of music and of how it is a companion on our journey.
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato
Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.” — Martin Luther
The music of creator plays through each of us and we are invited each day to join with our brothers and sisters in the dance of life. Sometimes our notes are uncertain and discordant but as we work to bring our beings into one and come together we are capable of producing clear and characteristic notes of grace.
Blessings
Valerie