Dissonant Love

I had a strange revelation in my theory class the other day. I was thinking about dissonance and how, by definition, it is two notes that sound unpleasant when played together, but I find that in most music I tend to savor the beauty of dissonance. That's when I realized that our relationship with God is dissonant. God should be nowhere near us. We simply do not belong together. And yet, by His grace, He draws us into this incredible love relationship with Him. He holds us. And it's beautiful. It takes my breath away and sends chills up and down my spine (as all beautiful music does), and the strangest part of it all is that this dissonant love, this love that seems like it simply does not belong, brings Him glory. When God allows a sinner to call Him Abba He is glorified. It's pretty much amazing, isn't it? The dissonant love analogy is really quite deep. For one, we must open ourselves up to dissonance. To understand its beauty we must tune our ears to it, much like the message of the cross is foolishness to those who do not choose to believe. Dissonance also makes connsance so much sweeter, much like we are made perfect in Christ. Dissonance, like imperfection in life's journey, is not to be shunned, but rather embraced. Connsanace is to be longed for. I could go on, but that would take away the fun of allowing God to reveal truths to you specifically. Enjoy!

Dissonant Love

I have tried to understand Your love Lord
How a holy God like You
Could love someone like me
And there is so much beauty
To be found in it
But it seems so wrong
To see Justice juxtaposed
With Mercy
To see Holiness holding
Unrighteousness
To see Perfection pursuing
The imperfect
It makes no sense
This divine dissonance
You and I should not be together
And yet You call me Yours
Forever
And it is music to my ears
Beautiful and lovely
Yet dissonant

Stephanie M. Frakes
(October 31, 2008)

Among the Ruins

I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote something. I guess life just got the best of me. Things are still going great and I still love college life. Granted, I am most definitely counting down the days til the end of the semester. I am so ready for the holidays. Anyway, I don't really have much to write about, but I do have a bunch of poems I've written recently. Here's one of them. Enjoy.

Among the Ruins

Sitting among the ruins
Pondering my imperfection
And the extent to which
I’m only human
Humbled
And broken
Again

The sun beats down on me
But then I feel a breeze
Cool as it caresses me
And reminds me
Of Your grace
And the extent of Your divinity
Your perfect, perfect love for me
And I am lifted up on eagles’ wings
To think
That You love me
When I can’t even love myself

Oh how holy
And marvelous
Are You oh Lord, my God
That you pick up broken pieces
And teach me to love
And to see
And to be
As you set me
Free.

Stephanie M. Frakes
(October 29, 2008)