Still ticking. Last day on the stronger tablets today, though I've been managing with food rather better this week than the one before.
I'm working on a project. It has to do with psalmody. Ultimately it's going to be something I'll attach my real name to, which means I can't discuss it much here. If you do want to hear about it let me know. I'll e-mail you if I have your address. Some of you have heard about it already.
The more I do research for this project, the more I let the psalms get into my head and my heart, the more it seems really important that I do some sort of direct voluntary work with people who are homeless. I wrote about this before, at the end of January. I don't know what the connection is; I don't know if my interest in psalmody will mean that the psalms are somehow directly involved in the work I eventually do, or if they "clear the lines" somehow so that discernment is easier for me, or if I'm going to need to know the psalms inside out and backward to deal with what I might find and this is a sort of preparation period for that. I only realised there was a connection fairly recently, after I'd written that other post.
This is way off the beaten track for me. The psalmody project itself is far more research-based than my usual work, but I can at least see a connection, a drawing together of various threads. But direct work with the homeless is unfamiliar in just about every way possible. Using my existing professional skills doesn't seem to be the requirement, and everything I can think up that uses them is definitely not the right thing.
I've spoken to some friends about this. I've spoken to my spiritual adviser/director. I've prayed. I've thought and thought and chased my tail.
I've found a night shelter/day centre within walking distance of where I live and printed out a volunteer application form.
I'm just going to have to try it and see what happens. I can't think this one through any further without taking action.
Right then. Thy will be done, and I hope I don't screw it up.
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3 comments:
I have become more and more inspired by the Psalms, probably due to praying them daily.
The Lamentations reach down inside and allow you to put yourself in the place of the Psalmist - especially on dark days.
But my favourite is Psalm 8, which for me, gives the wonder and awe of the creator God, whose works are so wonderful to behold.
Set to music they are beautiful, but need to be sung prayerfully with a good choir preferred - that said, Matins or Compline sung by the normal congregation can be as inspiring.
You have a precious gift, which I would be delighted to know more about.
Perhaps, I will recognise it when it is published? I do hope so.
How exciting --all around!!!
God bless you in all the work you do.
Ernest,
I love praying the psalms daily, too. I'm so glad I started. I hope I don't stop. I don't really have a favourite, but I do keep coming back to a few.
As someone who has sung in a number of good choirs, I'd rather the psalms be sung badly but reverently by a congregation than said. And I'd rather they be said than omitted.
I think you have found me on Twitter, so you will almost certainly end up finding out more about the project as it progresses. I hadn't considered publication, as such.
Margaret,
Thank you. It is all rather exciting, and then there is further news too (it's in a new post, but it looks like I'll be working for the Church. Officially, like.)
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