Chant, Songs, and Celebration

Chant, Songs and Celebration was one of the hardest works I have yet to write. When asked by my friend, Geoff DeSpain, to write this work in memory of one of his students, I was honored but hesitant. I did not know Brianna, but God led me to know that I could trust Him, as always to provide the notes as they needed to be. I began to write the work by going to prayer. In my prayer, I saw the following visions: A young maiden comes to a courtyard where she knows there is danger. However, as the danger creeps close, she is calmed by a sense of the spirit of God being near. She then senses the danger coming closer, and she is unable to escape the courtyard. There is no exit; not even the area where she initially entered the space is available for her escape. The danger is then seen as a tremendous monster that enters the courtyard and steals from her the final breath on earth. At first she is confused and screams out to God, "Why did you not save me?" God responds, "I did save you, my sweet child. Although you do not realize the plans I have for you, they were not of this world. You are now safe from all danger, in my kingdom, with Me." As the young maiden realizes her fortune of now being in heaven, safe from all danger, her initial song of despair now changes to a song of thanksgiving. This song eventually brings in her beautiful heavenly voice singing the well-known hymn, It Is Well with My Soul. As she sings, I could see her friends and family listening, but not understanding why she has gone on too soon. As she continues to sing, they realize that the young maiden and her soul, are truly well, with the Father. When this realization occurs, my visions then turned to a celebration. This celebration was pictures of happiness, festivity, and jubilation as the maiden, her family, and the others already with her in heaven began celebrating her arrival and celebrating eternity with God. As my prayer visions ended, I witnessed true glory, as those already with God awaited the arrival of the loved ones yet to arrive.