for some reason, whenever the world situation starts to get shaky and scary, it's music i turn to. one piece in particular - Spem in alium, a thomas tallis piece and a 40-part motet. yes. i did say forty - that's eight choirs of five parts each with eight person singing their own part. i don't know whether it's the thought of that many people singing in harmony (a representation of my hope for the world? all different, yet living in harmony?) or if it's the words:
(translated) I have never had hope in anyone but Thee, God of Israel,
Thou who grow angry and will hear prayer.
Thou eliminate all the sins of men in tribulation.
Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, look down upon our humility.
not that those words may sound especially comforting at first, but it's a plea to go easy on us...not to wipe us from the face of the earth even though we do bad things as people. it harkens back to moses' talking to God: "if 50 are found to be righteous will you still destroy them? if 10? if 5? if 1?" God is merciful, praise Him. we do not get what we deserve, and that both scares and reassures me. i don't know how those who don't believe in God make it through their lives - He truly is my lifeline.
other things
otherwise, i got my valentines made. also went swing dancing and got roped into next sunday's swing dancing "superbowl" competition. fritz asked me, i didn't solicit it. should be interesting considering i haven't danced a whole lot in six months or so. maybe i'll get lucky and be doing bal in the jam circle - they certainly won't be tossing me around!
i had today off and got quite a bit done, even by my to do list. i cleaned out a bookshelf and put away four boxes of books (one of the bookshelves was falling apart), set aside one box of books and a few other miscellany to be given away, and put away the cds i had floating around. also switched out the few that i keep in my car. people that travel places with me were starting to complain about my lack of selection. ;) pitiful, huh?
Posted by kendra at January 20, 2003 10:40 PM