Category: loving neighbors (Page 1 of 2)

The story of Thomas Greene, or “Blind Tom”, is sadly a story that we continue to hear – if only in new ways. He was born enslaved in Georgia in 1849. The family (Bethunes) who enslaved him enjoyed music, so he was introduced to music at a young age and began to display remarkable gifts. Thomas was most likely what we would recognize today as an autistic savant. He could listen to music and perform it back remarkably well. The Bethunes took advantage of his talent and began having him perform throughout the United States. In fact, he was the first African American to perform for a United States President, and he did this at the age of 11! I wish I could say that after the Civil War, Thomas enjoyed freedom, but he remained tied to the Bethunes until he died – writing music and playing concerts for their financial benefit. The piece that Wren played today is called The boy with the axles in his hands (1866). She picked this piece because it made her feel happy … she said “I liked the happy mood.” What did Wren learn? She “learned that he didn’t give up in life despite challenges.” Perseverance is a great life skill! Thank you Thomas Greene!!!

Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.

Today we remembered the suffering of George Floyd and so many others. Wren was practicing, but at 3:45 we stopped what we were doing and were silent for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. A lifetime….

We are all Children of the Heavenly Father!

It’s really hard to know how to teach my child how to respond to this week. She keeps asking “why is this happening”? I don’t know what to tell her…but we all went to a lament walk tonight (Stayed back from the crowd to avoid the virus)….

For now…we will try to live like this:

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously. Micah 6:8 (the Message)

I don’t have much to say tonight. We need peace, and I think our kids will be the peacemakers. We must teach them! It’s a big responsibility. I’m up for it!

It’s a promise that’s hard to remember in days like these. What a horrible week. The murder of George Floyd followed the horrible murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and so many others! So much pain, and frustration and seemingly little justice… What do we do? That’s what my child has been asking. I’m not sure what to do other than pray, and if there is an opportunity to join in a peaceful protest we will go. The hymn of comfort tonight is an anthem that my mom (Anna Laura Page) wrote a long time ago (with text by J. Paul Williams). We thought that it was appropriate for this week. We feel peace when we listen to it, and hope you will too. It’s a setting of Isaiah 11:6-9:

The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling^[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
⁷ The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

I actually sang this anthem to Wren as her lullaby when she was a baby. I want her to know the peace that we will find in the Holy Mountain of the Lord. I also want her to grow to be a peace-maker in times like the ones we are living through now. I can’t explain to her the hate and racism that has led us to the events we are watching unfold, but I can offer her an understanding that we are called to work as agents of reconciliation. Showing Christ’s love to others – and that is much stronger than the hate we are seeing now. So playing this piece tonight is her offering of peace. (Thanks Nonnie for helping us record your amazing anthem!)

Text:

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
in the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.

The wolf will lie down with the lamb, the cow and bear will feed,
their young will play together; a little child will lead, a little child will lead.

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.

The leopard and goat will graze, the lion will feed on straw.
They will war no more, they will war no more; a child will lead them all,
will lead them all.

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace,
Creation will be at peace.

Words by J. Paul Williams

Words by J. Paul Williams/Music by Anna Laura Page.  © Copyright 1992 by Jubilate Music Group, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.  Used by Permission.