Two Cups of Tea at Hope’s Café
When we came from Tennessee for my “candidate weekend” at the church here in Montana, one of the church members took us on a drive to familiarize us with the area. He pointed out Tippet Rise Art Center, a working ranch which hosts classical chamber music and recitals and exhibits large-scale, outdoor sculptures on a vast 12,000 acres.
The next summer, having now been employed as pastor for nearly a year, I started seeing Tippet Rise concerts advertised and remembered having seen Tippet Rise on that drive the summer before. However, I discovered that they have a lottery system. In March they advertise the lottery is open and you have an opportunity to put your name in for a drawing. The next year when we put our name in we didn’t get an opportunity for concert tickets but we did get the opportunity for a tour. We had friends coming to visit on the date of the tour and we were able to take them on the tour with us. It was delightful. Still, I hoped we would have the opportunity to see a concert there.
At long last, this year we were chosen in the lottery. Last week weekend we were able to enjoy a program “Iron Tree—Daydreams and Cursive Takes a Holiday” composed of a flute, an oboe, a clarinet, a bassoon and a French horn. I was torn between closing my eyes to listen and keeping my eyes open to watch musicians, who seemed to become one with their instruments while staying keenly aware of one another, such that their music was perfectly blended.
What a great lesson! What if we both stayed in tune with ourselves while keeping aware of others so that we could work together in harmony? Would that not be the ultimate way to function in society? Some philosophers have captured this idea centuries ago. Plato said:
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
Much later, Kahlil Gibran would write:
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life, bringing peace and abolishing strife.”
Enjoy some music today!
The invitation is open to share “two cups of tea” anytime at Hope’s Café, or anywhere you share companionship and conversation.
May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate
Hope's Cafe 