Song of the Year

Last year at this time I wrote a post about chooosing a song to live by for the year, as opposed to making resolutions that will not be kept. I chose Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  I started off the year thinking about the song quite often.  I shared  my plan with my friend Lynda.  Often she would tease me by looking at me and saying "sing your song" when I seemed to be stressing over something that was going on at work.  We laughed about it quite a bit, but, truly, I did try to remember the words to this precious hymn whenever challenges came my way.  I will be the first to admit that I fell short of my goal many times; however, I will also tell you that as a family we had a few big obstacles this past year and I do think that keeping my "eyes turned upon Jesus" helped us not only weather those storms, but also to emerge stronger as a family.


I have spent time thinking about what my song should be for the upcoming year.  Of course, I will choose a hymn because I believe that so much can be gained from reading, understanding, pondering, and of course, singing old, classic hymns.  The biblical truths written about in those wonderful songs are still pertinent and crucial to our  lives today.  I considered some of my all time favorites such as Only Trust Him, Have Thine Own Way, Lord (because, goodness, sometimes we all want OUR way, don't we?) and It Is Well With My Soul.  The first stanza of this classic hymn is so beautiful:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

The amazing thing to me is that this was written by Horatio Spafford after he had lost his four daughters very tragically at sea.  What a man of amazing strength!


With so many meaningful songs to choose from, I finally decided on Be Still My Soul as my song for the year.  This wonderful old hymn, originally written in 1752, is so very clear in how we should strive to live - remembering that through it all, God is in control.  Perhaps it speaks to me so clearly because one of my favorite scripture verses is Psalms 46:10 which states "Be still and know that I am God". 


The first verse is:

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on my side,

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, they heavenly friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

What a beautiful reminder that God is on our side regardless of what troubles may come our way.  We know that that in this life we will have heartache and tribulations, but this song reminds me to bear them patiently.  This is not my strong suit, in fact I fail miserably at it most of the time, and I imagine others may struggle in this area as well.  I whine and moan (and sometimes cry) and want things to be better now!   How comforting to remember that God is on our side and He will always be faithful: Faithful in loving us, faithful in providing for our needs, faithful in providing comfort and shelter from life's storms, and, of course, forgiving us when we falter and fail.  I want to remain cognizant of the fact that whatever comes my way in this life, there WILL be a joyful end...eternity with Jesus!  May I remember in the coming year to take to heart the message gleaned from the words of this hymn as the inevitable disappointments and sorrows come my way.

This week I am joining the following party:

At the Picket Fence