Oh dear me! We have got the most terrible weather here just now. It is freezing cold, the wind is blowing, and it is pouring with rain. Outside it is so dark that it is almost like evening although as I write it is only just after lunchtime (this post won't show on the blog until later, because I like to leave what I have written unpublished until Papa Bear has had time to check it through). The bad weather is affecting the internet connection, so everything is also taking much longer than usual to do. But that's not all it has affected! Papa Bear had to come home at lunchtime today - the weather was so bad that his brother told everyone it was too dangerous to keep on working (they are restoring the roof of a church at the moment) and so he laid them all off until tomorrow, when hopefully the weather will be a little better. I was so pleased to see him back home in time for lunch instead of at tea time as I had expected! It has made me feel very happy indeed to get an extra afternoon to spend with my precious husband!
It feels very cosy here in our small home, with it so gloomy outside, and everyone together safe indoors. We have been listening to some nice music recently, and one of the pieces I've especially enjoyed I am sharing with you in that You Tube clip above. It is the second movement of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto ("The Emperor"), and it is such beautiful, tranquil music that I hope you have time to listen to it too. As I listened this morning, feeling so peaceful and safe, I was minded of Psalm 33 - a Psalm that to me reminds us of God's greatness, His all-knowing, all-powerful reign over us, and of how we can trust in Him and be secure in His care, for His unfailing love will shield us.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. (Psalm 33: 1-22)
