Psalm 57 - Lifting

(Too long for email once again…)

So you may have noticed two things. First, it has been a few days since I last wrote. Second, I skipped Psalm 56. Some reasons behind this. One big part is that Spain’s schedule is VERY different from what I am used to. Eating dinner after 830 or so and much later evenings and basically being out all day didn’t give a lot of time to sort through LOTS of photos and take time to write. Another part is that Psalm 56 really didn’t speak to the experiences we were having here but did speak to me personally. So Psalm 56 did get a reflection but it was not a public one - just something for me.

With Psalm 57, I’m drawn to the opening and the closing while also recognizing the “snares” that are described in the middle - those things that can easily pull me (or others) down - the actions of others, the events of the world (such as the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand), and even trivial things (in the grand scheme) ) such as the nearing end of what has been a dream trip to Ireland and Spain. But I’m going to center for me personally on that which lifts me up - listen to these words as Fischer translates them...

Be gracious, be gracious, be gractious
For my soul flies out to your protection
Flies up to the refuge of your wings
Until this anguish passes
I call on you, my guide
Confident of your kindness to me
You who swirls out from the center
And penetrates me with your love
Though the one who wants to swallow me up
Utters curses and accusations
Your faithfulness will still them all
...
My heart is firm, my heart is firm, my heart is firm
I sing it, I chant it, I pluck it on the lyre
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and psaltery!
I will wake up the dawn with my song!
I will go out among the people with my chanting!
I will rouse the nations with my playing!
For your kindness swirls about the entire center
And your truth reaches as far as the empty sky
Raise yourself up and blaze out over all the body of earth!

We have had a beautiful week in Granada with our son - we have loved the stunning architecture of the city, the incredible food, the beautiful people, and the powerful and deep history that surrounds us here. While we hold together the wonder of the Alhambra with the gorgeous architecture and brilliant work of its Muslim founders alongside the ways that Christians destroyed a great deal of it after conquest, we also are in awe of how even small details such as some of the original colors of the blue paint still are within some of the Arabic lettering. We were humbled under the vast space of the Catedral de Granada (Cathedral of Granada) and overwhelmed by the altarpieces of the Capilla Real de Granada (Royal Chapel of Granada) and the Monasterio de San Geronimo (Monastery of St Jerome). And we have loved spending time with our son in this city that he (and we) have fallen in love with. It has been brilliant to have our own tour guide (and interpreter) as he took us to some of his favorite places in the city and we also shared drinks with his wonderful host family.

Those wondrous words from the Psalm speak much of this - feeling the lifting of our hearts and souls, finding the One who “swirls out from the center” and helps our souls to awaken.

So, here are some glimpses of our time here in Granada that lifted me

Alhambra (Click the link to read more about this amazing site)

Alabaicín

Catedral de Granada

This is a BIG panorama of a bunch of photos stitched together. It is also a bit distorted, The side column areas are not angled off to the side - they are straight on as you are facing the chancel

Los Calles de Granada

Arte Callejero (Mostly the work of El Niño de Las Pinturas)

And some others from the last few days. There’s a story with the second photo that I don’t want to post publicly but if you want to hear it, I’m happy to share it with you. It is crazy and hysterical (at least we think so). And re the third photo, Lemon Fanta is incredible! I’m glad that it isn’t easily bought in the US…

Grace, Peace, Love, and Joy,
Ed

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