Monday, November 02, 2009

Life happens in spite of plans

Well, I had planned to finish re-reading Don't Waste Your Life and start one of the review books by Sunday. However, the weekend was rather topsy turvey (hehehe, spell check hasn't heard of that one). Saturday was spent getting some much needed house and yardwork accomplished. Sunday afternoon was time to rest and do a few little projects (like rearranging the side of my refrigerator to display gorgeous pictures of the grandchildren).

Christopher had to work Sunday (which happens normally only during football season) and came home planning to return to campus to study. Instead he was quite ill so he did the best he could here at home. This has been a rough autumn for all three of my mold allergy sufferers (and the wet summer wasn't too great, either). My son kept muttering something about moving to Arizona last night... :)

As it turned out, he was able to watch his English assignment on his laptop while I listened in (try reading Piper and listening to a musical blog at the same time...). His English instructor is quite an interesting person, a graduate student in Medieval Literature, who has some fascinating ways of getting students to think. This particular "musical" was a perfect vehicle for discussing "right" and "wrong", "good" and "bad"...

The three of us later discussed the theology behind the books of Job (hubby's favorite) and Jonah (C.'s favorite). While interesting, I had to continue reminding them that my body thought it was an hour later than the clock indicated... could we continue this discussion another day (and a little earlier?).

Of course, chats and such were happening in between sofa time for Mom and fairly severe allergy symptoms for Christopher. Each day continues in spite of health concerns, a zero bank balance, and imperfect people (especially men, hehehe). Okay... they would have something to say about that. :)

Life does take us down unexpected paths but last night I was reminded of the scene near the end of the wonderful movie, Mr. Holland's Opus. At his surprise retirement "party", a large group of former students were assembled to play his unpublished symphony. One of the students looks at him and then at all assembled and says something like, "Mr. Holland, we are your opus, we are the symphony of your life".

That is precisely what is happening to us as we do the best we can to plan life, making goals and writing down expectations... then giving it all to the Lord to work within His will. Our life may appear to be unsettled and bewildering but (prayerfully), He will weave it into a beautiful symphony... even if the world in general looks at us and sees something less than success.

I'm certain they do not understand how the mixture of theological discussions, multiple cups of hot tea, books read and letters written, foreheads soothed as the fever rages, children hugged, teenagers given Truth and Grace, listening to another of Grandfather's stories, complimenting mother's cooking, sitting and pondering as we watch the end of another season... all combine to form music.

Our opus... the continuation of family... never perfect but still beautiful... when written by the Master.

Picture: Raking Leaves; allposters.com

15 comments:

Anita said...

What a beautiful post.

Annie said...

Hi:

I lurk on your blog all the time, but just wanted to take a quick second to tell you what a blessing your words are to me.

Scrappy quilter said...

God definitely uses your fingers to bring us a message everyday. Thank you for allowing Him too.

Mr. Holland Opus has got to be one of our favorite family movies. I could watch it over and over again. Hugs..

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) said...

Beautifully said, Brenda.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, I love that... our lives, our opus, written by the Master.

Friend Debra

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

I'm loving that red truck picture. And Job, well that story is a puzzle to me in some ways. We were just talking about that story at the office today. Amazing I should be reading about it on your blog...C

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Lovely post....... I always enjoyed watching Mr. Holland's Opus. It played such a hopeful theme!

Barb said...

Loved your post! Mr. Holland's Opus is one of my favorite movies - live the best life you can today, you never know what will happen tomorrow. My life has had sudden changes that could of sent me over the edge or lifted me up - I chose to look toward heaven. What a good reminder your post was, thank you.

Carol said...

What a beautiful opus. (MD)

matty said...

Love love love the truck picture, but your words are even more beautiful and inspiring! Have a blessed day, Brenda!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Oh Brenda . . .

This post tugged at my heartstrings, echoed my song, and sent me running for tissue to dab away the kindred flow of friendship we share across this bloggy thing.

I read with friend-vy, your posts about meeting up with the Clarksons. I do hope something so delightful may someday be in store to include me too! I so long for REAL in this virtual place.

For today, I simply thank you for always leaving the welcome mat out for me to cross over whenever a moment presents itself.

Thank you for the lovely post.

XO!

Anonymous said...

I saw Mr Holland's Opus Again as you were ending the time to put in applications of our favorite books/movies etc. I never did write in to nominate it but we all love it and that sceen can't help but bring a tear of warmth and joy to our eyes as we know how he must be feeling when they did this for him. Isen't that just a great movie! We never know what eaach day will bring and if we can handle it but just have to do the best we can. Yes life is full of this and that but so is a quilt and it ends up being a beautiful thing. Jody

Anonymous said...

Today was one of those days ending in being SO GLAD all 3 of us are safely tucked in here. Hubby nearly was creamed on his way to work this morning. He was still kind of ill and green looking when he got home this evening. And these days we are grateful for all the good parts of life we have. These are such hard times for so many!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Blessings, Elizabeth

Barb J. said...

Thank you for posting this. I really needed to hear those words this week.

Heather said...

Brenda,

That was very beautiful!! Thank you for sharing that! I really needed that!

Love, Heather