Sights and sounds
Peaceful Readers, I hope you were blessed with a very peaceful Thanksgiving. Ours was wonderful, albeit unusual.
A new season
Have you ever found yourself in a new season so intense that you felt like you just came out of a long tunnel? Things that were recently your everyday status quo or modus operandi felt so far away—like the distant past? You found your focus turned sharply to something very different?
I find myself in just that reality—a totally new season of life. Last month I retired and had major surgery. Today on Choosing Peace, you’ll read about a little castle, glorious music and The Three C’s.
The tunnels
Back in the day, when we were kids, vacations were always car trips. And we loved the occasional tunnels. They were exciting—kind of like camping or another adventure. Tunnels held a sense of anticipation: What’s on the other side? Truth be told—they’re still exciting.
I experienced three different kinds of tunnels last month.
Tunnel #1
My first tunnel came the week before Thanksgiving. One moment I was joking with the anesthesiology dude and a nurse; they were wheeling me down the hall; and we entered the operating room. For a split second, I thought, “It’s really bright in here.” Then everything suddenly went dark. I was out cold. When I woke up, I was in the recovery area, in a bit of shock. Where am I? How did I get here? Who are these people?
The Surgery Tunnel was new to me. It took me a while to truly wake up. I felt so strange. Brandon felt relieved when I started crying. He knew I was back—that I was present. Yes, the whole thing—disappearing down a dark tunnel—was very disorienting. And my body hurt. I just received a total hip replacement.
Tunnel #2
The second tunnel came into view after I got home from surgery. With so many changes—how I felt, physically; the rules for how I could and couldn’t move and sit; and many things I could no longer do at all—it felt like I retired six months ago, not two weeks ago. Working at St. Matt’s felt catapulted into the distant past. Like I said at the beginning of today’s post, I found myself in a new season so intense that I felt like I just came out of a long tunnel.
Recent events felt far away. My perception of time seemed warped. I found myself in a new, very different reality.
Tunnel #3
The Lord gifted me with a third type of tunnel last month. These tunnels minister to me frequently and remind me of important truths. I routinely watch the video below of a train moving through Switzerland. I highly recommend it.
Why do I watch this video?
1: Movement
The video of the train in Switzerland depicts movement, which reminds me that even though I’m sitting in one spot on our couch all day and all night, my life is moving forward. Time is moving, I’m alive, so my life is moving. I’m experiencing significant movement or growth in this Sitting Still Season. Things are happening. Hidden things. Essential things. Beautiful things.
I must be still the vast majority of the time so my bones grow and become one with my new titanium hip. They must become one. If I move too much, my bones and my new hip won’t become one. To achieve this essential healing and strengthening, my feet may only touch the floor a maximum of 10 minutes per hour.
God is also doing beautiful things for me and Brandon in mind and spirit. I’ll dig into those aspects later.
God’s hand of healing is moving while I sit still and while I sleep.
Reflect on Jeremiah 33:3.
2: The tracks
As I watch the train move forward on the train tracks, I remind myself that my life is on track. I know I’m where the Holy Spirit desires me to be. God’s sovereign purposes are unfolding. Knowing that my life is on track gives me a great sense of peace.
Also, the tracks were prepared for the train in the video long in advance—more than 100 years ago. Likewise, while I can’t see what lies ahead, the Lord does, and he prepared the way for me before the dawn of time.
God prepared the way for me.
He designed the way. He built the tracks. He maintains it all.
Consider Ephesians 2:10.
3: Celebration and gratitude
In the train video, the colors are extremely vivid on the cloudy, sometimes-rainy day. The lush shades of green in the trees and grass, the glorious mountains, and the fog on the mountains remind me of the glory of God. I thank him for the gorgeous, remarkable world he created for us.
I sit in awe.
Praise God as you read Psalm 148.
Hear a choir sing Psalm 148: “O Praise the Lord of Heaven” by John Rutter.
4: A glimpse and a goal
Around the 10-minute mark in the train video, you’ll see a little castle. I absolutely love that little castle. Every time I see it, I’m like a little girl jumping up and down on her birthday. Even though no jumping is allowed these days, you know what I mean. The castle thrills me.
I look at that castle and think: Someday, I’ll be able to walk up all four flights of stairs in that little castle.
The castle in the video shows me a glimpse of my future. It shows me my goal. I’ll be able to walk up flights of stairs. I’ll be able to explore. I’ll be able to go places and do things. The world will reopen to me. I’ll be able to walk and climb and experience new adventures. Hallelujah!
Rest in Jeremiah 29:11.
5: The tunnels
The train in the video glides through many, many tunnels. I love those parts. What will I see at the end of the tunnel? Is this a short tunnel or a long tunnel? Will I see the original tunnel engineered and blasted into existence in the early 1900s or was it redone recently? Tunnels are fun and filled with anticipation.
The tunnels remind me that I don’t know what’s coming around the bend, and that’s okay. God knows. He’s prepared the way, and I travel hand-in-hand with him. Even in the darkness of a tunnel, even when I can’t see much at all, my Savior Jesus is with me. He knows exactly where I am and where I’m going. His presence gives me peace.
Walk (or sit) in John 14:27.
The train video depicts the power, majesty,
presence, sovereignty and purposes of God.
The glorious music
When Logan was two years old and I was his music teacher at our church’s two-day-a-week preschool, I included classical music listening skills in music class. Why? Because well-chosen classical music is glorious. It makes us listen and think. It tells stories musically. I can’t imagine life without it.
During this season, the Lord, whom I adore, has gifted me with the most glorious music—beyond what I could have imagined. Below are 10 of my favorites—five of which are new to me. Even if you’re not a classical music fan, listen to a few. See what images or emotions they evoke. Does God have something to reveal to you through this music? What stories does the music tell?
Recommended classical music
1. Miserere mei, Deus
Tenebrae Choir
A new, incredible discovery
2. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
Hilary Hahn with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Festive and rich
3. Chopin’s Nocturne in C Sharp Minor
Bruce Liu
A delicate, stirring performance
4. Corelli’s Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 // Christmas Concerto
Halidon Music
Musical perfection
5. Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 in C Major (“The Great”)
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Lovely and majestic
6. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”)
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Lush musical colors
7. The Splendors of Polyphony: Motets and Madrigals
The Sacred Christian Music TV
A transport to the voices of medieval Europe
8. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
A long-time favorite; my morning music my freshman year in college
9. Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto
Khatia Buniatishvili at the 2011 Verbier Festival
My favorite piano concerto
10. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
A joyful reminder of Christmases long ago
Waking up with one of these beautiful pieces in my head feels like a special gift. At the end of today’s post, the flash mob performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah will thrill your soul. Don’t miss it.
Comfort and encouragement
God comforts and encourages me through great videos and music; through The Three C’s—the cane, the candle and the cards; and much more.
The cane
The cane that stands beside the couch reminds me of my progress. After using a walker for two weeks, I switched to my cane. What a victory! My physical therapist—I’ll call her Leah—is so encouraging. She told her helper and me on Friday that I’m crushing it. I loved hearing that.
Seeing my cane tells me I’m getting better and stronger—one day at a time. I’m moving forward.
The candle
The candles I’ve been collecting for years now have a daily job. I burn a scented candle all day and evening long, blowing it out when I go to sleep. The soft light, the wonderful scent, and the wick’s gentle movement comfort me. In Frankie Ann’s World, candles are special.
In a similar way to an hour glass, the candles help me see the passing of time. As a candle burns down over several days and eventually gets thrown in the trash, I experience the passing of time. And Brandon has started buying candles for me when he grocery shops. I love that. He’s so sweet.
The cards
I keep favorite cards in my encouragement bag—the tote bag beside the couch. When I need a pick-me-up, I read some of those special cards. Reading the cards reminds me of people’s love and kindness, which warms my heart every time. The cards also remind me of God’s goodness in bringing so many wonderful people into my life.
The Lord also comforts me through visits, the great food people have brought us, texts, flowers, phone calls and more. Petting a sweet dog curled up beside me is some great therapy, day and night.
Happy birthday memories
One Sunday last month, my pal Charlene brought me a big piece of homemade chocolate cake. It reminded me of one of my mom’s recipes—the cake I often requested for my birthday. That made me smile. (So did the delicious cake.)
Two days later, Charlene brought Brandon and me some treats from Braum’s and we enjoyed another great visit. That day was my dad’s birthday. I said, “Happy Birthday, Dad!” The word search puzzles I worked on my dad’s birthday were from Psalm 27, my favorite Psalm, and from a wonderful hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” Both puzzles warmed my heart and made me smile. I bought that word search puzzle book at Cracker Barrel when Charlene and I went there to celebrate my retirement. After my surgery, I started walking through the puzzle book in order, never knowing what was coming from day to day. The Lord gave me special puzzles on a special day.
God’s timing is perfect. And he is never late.
The Holy Spirit used Charlene, my Soul Sister, to remind me of happy memories of my mom and my dad. Both memories were tied to birthdays. And I smiled.
The fond farewell
My November departure from my job at St. Matt’s was very sweet. Many of the dear people there brought me goodies, stopped by to say good-bye, sent me kind emails and cards, etc. Before my surgery, I worked on a St. Matt’s photo book. It was therapeutic to express my gratitude for the many people the Lord blessed me with during that season.
From part 1 of The Mirror:
One of the many ways God worked all things together for my good was in bringing me to work at St. Matt’s, where he took me on The Healing Journey and gave me my new mom, Kathleen. During my 10 years there, hard things were healed. And what was missing—a mother’s love—was found.
Kathleen’s funeral was in July. Two months later, I found out that I desperately needed two hip replacement surgeries. Two months after that, my first surgery was complete. Later this month, the second one will be done.
One season ended at just the right time.
And another vital season began.
The peace quilt
After I retired, I received a wonderful retirement card and gift from one of St. Matt’s angels, Paula, and her husband. They sent me a lovely homemade quilt with a star motif.
The song
The quilt brought back memories of my favorite song the University Chorale sang when I was in college: “A Gaelic Blessing” by John Rutter. We sang this beautiful, peaceful song as the benediction at our concerts and at our reunions.
I wrote about this song last year:
During our wedding in the chapel, an ensemble sang “A Gaelic Blessing” from the balcony—a song about deep peace. I had no idea about the turmoil and the attacks that were coming. I had no idea about the hard truths the Lord would reveal. I had no idea that I’d write about our lives on a blog called Choosing Peace. And yet, our marriage began with a declaration: “Deep peace of Christ to you.” The peace of Jesus was being sung over us. I find that remarkable.
The hand of the Holy Spirit
When Paula was making this quilt, she had no idea about “A Gaelic Blessing” and its importance in my life. Her quilt tied together three important seasons in my life—college, our wedding and St. Matt’s. Isn’t that amazing? I give all glory to the Holy Spirit, who weaves our lives together in such beautiful ways.
I call my new quilt with the stars my Peace Quilt because “A Gaelic Blessing” is filled with star imagery and its core message is peace. Read the lyrics and notice the importance of the moon, stars and nighttime in this ethereal song about peace. Speaking of ethereal, I often describe St. Matt’s as an ethereal place.
God knew exactly what I needed.
And he still does.
Simplicity
My life is simple these days. I don’t go anywhere except physical therapy and doctor’s appointments. I sit in one spot. I’m no longer spending hours per week in the car, driving here and there. I’m no longer busy at work. My life is quiet and still.
I chose the title Simplicity for this post because this season is all about the simple pleasures of life, and I absolutely love that. Dogs, candles, flowers, music, naps, rest. God, family and friends. Thinking about what I’ll have for lunch.
While my life is simple these days, it’s not inconsequential. It’s truly remarkable. God is weaving my bones with my new right hip. And before Christmas, he’ll begin doing the same for my new left hip.
All glory to my triune God—Creator, Father, Lord;
Savior, King, Healer; Comforter, Revealer and Guide.
Your turn
Have you experienced a time when a new season stood in stark contrast with your former season? So many changes. A new focus. Reflect on the ways God led you to your new season and how he met you there. How did he comfort you? What did he teach you? Who did he bring alongside you to bless you?
Close your eyes and reflect on the Lord’s goodness, attentiveness and his presence with you.
December
This month can be overwhelming for a variety of reasons. Since we’re in a Keep It Simple season, we only have one Christmas decoration out—our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It makes me smile.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
May the Lord bless you with peace and simple pleasures this Christmas and always.
Coming next: I look forward to sharing some more delightful stories about this quiet, wonderful, sometimes-challenging new season.
Until next time, thanks for reading and for Choosing Peace.
Truth from The Word: Revelation 19:16
Song: Flash mob of the “Hallelujah Chorus”
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