‘TIS SO SWEET…

I think those of you that know me well know how I feel about the way music is presented in the modern church.  I miss the hymns.  (Our present minister of music does a great mix of both).  I miss singing hymns and those familiar words that are seared in my memory from years of attending a Southern Baptist Church.

I love the theology of hymns.  So many times, the right hymn can be like a mini sermon.  It can say in a few lines and a chorus just what you need to hear.

Being  a preschool teacher for 40 years, and a preschool music teacher for 20 of them, I know that what we put into the minds of our little ones, is what they will pull up throughout their lives.  I see these videos on TV of kids dancing  to and singing ungodly songs, and people comment how cute it is.  To me it is sad that this is the kind of music they are exposed to.  How will these songs help them in later life?

Last night our family had a medical emergency.  The patient was 200 miles away, and in great distress.  We were helpless.  Trying to get him to the hospital and speaking to emergency personnel, making sure he was safe and getting proper care, we were up all night…worried as could be.  But, there was no time for us to get there and take care of things.  All we could do was pray.  We prayed separately.  We prayed on the phone.  We prayed together.  And, then we tried to lay back down and wait…and trust…and believe…that God would step in and do what He said He would.  As I lay in the dark…alternately praying and trying to figure out a way to get there NOW,  the sweetest words started flowing through my mind.

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,       

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,    

And, to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

*Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him      How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

*Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus!      Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Yes, tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest and joy and peace.

*Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!    How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

*Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!      Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And, I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

*Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!     How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

*Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!       Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

It was as if Jesus was speaking to me and saying, “That’s right, Tonja.  It IS sweet to trust in me.  You HAVE proved me many times.  Now, do it again…trust in Me.”  And, that’s when the peace came.  Whatever was going on with our loved one was being controlled by the one who loves him more than we ever could.  Friends, let me tell you an absolute truth…there is no peace like the peace God gives.  His peace is perfect, and it is always available!

How many times have I sung that song through the years?  It was a favorite as I grew up.  But, in all honesty, I can not remember the last time I sang it…or even thought about it.  But, there it was when I needed comfort and a gentle reminder.

(I must confess, I did not remember the second verse printed here.  But when I looked up the lyrics to be sure I got them right, I just had to share them with you, too.)  Isn’t that a beautiful thought…“Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.”

Well, all is well this morning.  4 kidney stones are nothing to breeze through…I know I’ve been there.  Actually, now that he’s been initiated into the club…we can all commiserate with one another…he’s the last of the family circle to experience this ailment.  I’m betting about now he’s wishing he’d never joined!