Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges
“Psalm 139 goes on after ‘I rise up…’ then comes ‘you discern my thoughts from far away.’” So now here I am correcting this child when I meant to ease his worry over all the lessons. I know it’s hard for him.
“Simon, I wanted to say music comes to people in different ways. You can be rich in song without having to memorize long passages of psalms for chanting.”
“I know what you are saying Papa. It is something else I can’t do and everyone else can do so well. But I’m working on it. I’m practicing Psalms even when I’m collecting up wood.”
“Oh, dear Simon. Come closer. Sit down here near me. I really mean to tell you that I love you as the person you are, not because I imagine you different. If your learning was no greater than a snail on a rock, I would still love you. But now that we have had this hard time in our family, I can see even more clearly that you do so many things to help. I was just thinking of how much we appreciate your quiet helpfulness. Yet we let your brothers shine so brightly with all their gifts. I know you go off to the quiet places, to the rock by the creek, and back behind the well to the place where only flowers may grow.”
“No Papa. That’s my secret. I will always come when you call me, even if I’m there.”
“I know you are always where you need to be, but I was thinking of something you might like for your quiet times alone.”
“Momma already gave me a secret book with pages for inks.”
“She did? I didn’t know that.”
“It’s a secret. She said it’s mine alone.”
“I didn’t know that. I guess I was thinking that same way as your momma was. But I’ll keep your secret too. I won’t tell your brothers you have a book and I won’t ever try to fix it. I guess I was also thinking of how you are not just like everyone else, but that you have your own gifts.
When we are at the church in the wood where we only sing dancing songs, I’ve noticed you join right into the singing. Do you like that kind of music?”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 