For me, the year starts on Easter Monday, the day after Easter Sunday, when we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.  Even though the calendar says it’s the fourth month of the year, and the date may not be exact, it’s the day when life began – could begin – because of what Jesus did on the Cross.  And the amazing thing is that, as if  that weren’t enough, He wraps us around and within with Himself.  Looking through some files today I came across the introduction to ‘Worshipping with Dementia’, that describes it well.  I’d forgotten it, and reading it blessed me – and I hope it blesses you, too.

‘Some years ago a friend called Robert was learning to play the flute. Elizabeth, a professional flautist, came to stay with me and Robert brought his flute around one afternoon, hoping for some tips.Towards the end of his impromptu lesson Elizabeth suggested they played a simple tune together. I have never heard anything like it.

‘Robert played what sounded like “chopsticks” for Piccolo. Elizabeth listened for a minute or so then she lifted her instrument to her lips and began to play, lilting dancing notes that emerged like the rippling of a fine silk scarf in a faint breeze.

‘It was an amazing counterpoint to “chopsticks”, making it sound altogether wonderful. Imagine a rough, wooden stick being loosely wrapped in the finest, transparent silk; it was like that.

‘According to the online Free Dictionary, counterpoint is:   ‘The technique of combining two or more melodic lines in such a way that they establish a harmonic relationship while retaining their linear individuality.’

It’s exactly what God does with His people.  The psalmist wrote, “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage,” (Psalm 119:54, NKJV). In other words, God’s laws had been the counterpoint to the whole of the psalmist’s life.   It can be like this with many older Christians:  when they talk, you hear notes of compassion, gentleness, and wisdom.

Blessed New Life in Christ! 

 

Louise Morse

Louise Morse MA (CBT) is media and external relations manager for the Pilgrims’ Friend Society. She is a writer and speaker, and author of books on issues of old age, including dementia, published by Lion Monarch and SPCK. She is a cognitive behavioural therapist, and her Masters’ dissertation examined the effects of caring for a loved one with dementia on close relatives.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Marley G

    Thank you,Louise,

    Happy ‘New Year’ , wonderful to have God ‘s Word as the counterpoint in our lives.
    With every blessing to you in picking up and sharing Blessings with us.
    in Christ,
    Marley

  2. Angeangel

    Happy new year and new life

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