We each have a life story, penned without ink, read by the people around us. Who's writing your story?

Monday, August 3, 2015

A Song in the Night

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I woke with a start and reached for my husband next to me. Then I remembered. His recent illness had brought him downstairs to the recliner. Again, worry brought a sigh and a prayer. "Please, Lord, help him to feel better. Help us to know what to do next."

I closed my eyes to try to get another couple of hours of sleep when, from the living room, I heard Barry singing. I laid still and listened as he sang the words of an old song I taught to the girls as little children, words set to the even older tune of "Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah."
 
God has made me very special, and I'm dearly loved my Him.   
Even though He knows me fully, He accepts me as I am. 
How I praise Him, How I praise Him,
For His wondrous love for me. For His wondrous love for me.*
 
My husband, in pain and unable to sleep, used the words of a simple hymn to bring comfort and strength to his circumstances. Isn't that when the love of our heavenly Father means the most to us?  When we feel all alone and out of sorts? When we're at our lowest and hope is ebbing away?
 
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I've thought about that song in the night many times since then. Barry had it right. Whether we're feeling the ache of physical pain or the sting of rejection or the angst of loss, how comforting to line up our emotions with truth. God loves me. He knows all about it. 
 
Since my husband passed away I often find myself awake at night, thoughts swirling every which way. "How will I take care of the house and the cars and the yard and the finances and . . . who will take care of me?"

Then, like Barry, I remember an old hymn:
 
Be not dismayed what e're betide, God will take care of you. 
Beneath his  wings of love abide,God will take care of you.
God will take care of you, Through every day, O'er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.**
 
God has taken care of me . . . of us. This gives me hope for the days ahead.

What songs have encouraged you through the night?
 

*Words by Verna Birkey, 1977.
**Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1869-1948.

10 comments:

  1. Sarah, once again your words touch my heart, especially "Then I remembered."I think of Barry often, and miss him. I think of you often and wonder how you are at that very moment. So grateful to know that God will, indeed, take care of you--through every day.

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    1. Thanks, Deb, for your thoughts and prayers. We are taking it one day at a time. Even during the hard moments, it seems God puts just the right people in place . . . grateful for His grace. Hope you are enjoying the summer . . .

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  2. Thank you for sharing this Sarah. It touched my heart. God will take care of you. Sending love and hugs.

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    1. Bless you, Linda. Thanks for coming by. I always appreciate your thoughts . . .

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  3. You certainly pulled on my heart strings, Sarah. Beautifully expressed.

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  4. Beautifully written, Sarah! I am thinking of you and praying for you...."His eye is on the Sparrow and I KNOW! He watches me!"

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. And I love this song, too. Thanks for reminding us of it!

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  5. I just heard about Barry and my heart sank for your loss. I love you and my life is better for having you in it. Barry was one of the most thoughtful and soulful people I've ever met. The world is less in losing him. Love.

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    1. Thank you, Fred. I appreciate your thoughts about Barry . . . he was thoughtful and "soulful." I like the way you put it. Bless you.

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