Sacred Strains

These were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the Lord.

--- I Chronicles 25:6 (KJV)

A world-class musician sits within the rubble of an iconic bombed-out cathedral, playing poignant music.  

With his heart and sacred surroundings ravaged by the wounds of senseless war, cellist Sevak Avanesyn resiliently tuned his thoughts and talents to produce beauty.  What he played -- a piece composed in the early 20th Century by a priest who once identified with this holy, now-suffering space.   .  

O God, our Help in ages past, when ruin surrounds us and the beauty of former times ceases to exist, grant us Your strength to produce worshipful sounds amidst devastation.

*Artwork as seen on armenpress.am

Beauty by Surprise

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

-- Ecclesiastes 3:11

I was surprised to discover this picture among my photos -- an accidental snapshot.  See my sneaker at the bottom?  Amidst the plain dirt and spotty grass are scattered beautiful leaves of various colors.  Creative bursts that add beauty and interest to an otherwise ordinary path.  I never would have appreciated this winsome, natural perspective had the moment not been captured by accident.  

How often do we barrel through life, not recognizing the subtle beauty which lies about us?  

Lord, thank you for showing me a special perspective in an ordinary moment.  Give me eyes for the small delights which You place along my path.