Papa Haydn

10/13/09 …………..the thoughts continue as people respond to the blog.
As Hoptown folks know, my piano teacher, Mrs. Bell’s house was “catercorner” to ours. I didn’t know that term---I only knew its variants, “catty-corner” and “kitty-corner”---thankfully with no cats involved n the origin, rather quatre or catre, which means four. Now that we’re all more informed with trivia that we will soon forget, let’s move on to Joseph Haydn whose ditty, that kept playing in my mind, brought back those memories.

I “googled” him and found that the rhyming tune which I had learned as a child were the first bars of his "Surprise Symphony" which he preformed in Hanover Square Rooms in London in 1792.

More importantly I found, as God would have it, direct quotes (though somewhat awkward in their semantics) from Haydn published by Billy Graham. Graham states that this great musician wrote cheerful church music. Now that’s worth remembering. Much like praise music lifts my heart today, his works must have lifted the hearts of long ago believers.

Haydn said, “When I think upon God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap, as it were from, my pen, and since God has given me a cheerful heart, it will be pardoned me that I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.”

WOW---may that thought linger---not my struggles/trial or even fleeting glimpses of happiness---but as Haydn put it, “When I think upon God”……that’s when the joy comes!!! Makes me want to “dance.” How about you?

May my words DANCE from this computer today to remind you of the joy to be found in Him----after all joy is listed in the fruit of the Spirit.

Today---“Think upon Him” and dance!!!!!!