So far May has been filled with mixed emotions and some events – also upcoming events for next month. For the most part my thoughts are happy ones that’s been intertwined with some sad.
For instance earlier this month I was reminded of when I was younger and going to church with my grandparents, while singing that old hymn - “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” mostly these days we sing current/contemporary songs but I do enjoy singing old hymns once in awhile.
I realize some might not care for it but they sometimes make me teary eyed – happy/sad.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry, ev'rything to God in Prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, ev'rything to God in Prayer.
And, it’s not just this hymn it’s any that rockets be back to the Church of Christ. I have so many fond memories of when my brother and I attended; with no surprise to me that I feel as I do when I hear the old hymns. All the songs were sung 'A capella' (without instruments) it was beautiful, my grandpa sure loved to sing; and sang everywhere! Then at church I started thinking of a little black pocket Bible.
I haven’t thought of it in quite some time maybe it was that my birthday was coming up – and you might ask what did that have to do with anything. I’ll explain why. This little pocket Bible I believed belonged to my grandpa Baker. I don’t know how I came to acquired it, I had it for many years and I’m sad to say I know longer have it with me. I sure remember it though; it was a New Testament Bible, black and I think possibly leather bond with a small emblem of silver or gold on the bottom right corner. The most important part to me and where my birthday comes (and I should add my brothers also – since we were born on the same day 4 years apart) into play is at the back of the book was a page with a prayer of commitment. You could fill in the blanks as you prayed. Giving his life to the Lord on May 10, 1958 and signed at the bottom of the page was Lawrence David Baker, my grandpa – and on my first birthday. Not knowing it then but what an awesome gift to me(us) and to be able to see him again one day is an added bonus.
It's something how one memory can lead to so many more, whether it may be happy or sad. Like in the song we might be holding on to sad things in our lives. For interest:
The old hymn was written in 1855 by Joseph Scriven (b.1820-d.1886) and was originally published anonymously; Scriven did not receive full credit for writing it for nearly 30 years. It was said that Scriven wrote it as a poem to provide comfort to his mother in her time of special sorrow and hardship; not intending anyone else should see it. The world has surly been blessed with its comforting words, I know I've been blessed by it. I also read that the author was too, as he had times of sorrow and grief in his life as well.
Our family has faced many sad events in our time and of most recent was having to say good-bye (for now) to a deeply loved family member. My husband's (Jim) step-father (his name is also Jim) died earlier this month; he had been fighting cancer for quite awhile. He was the one who raised my husband his role model for life, and the one whom he had always referred to has his Dad. We'll miss him dearly, we didn't want him to go, but knowing how much he loved the Lord, we know where he is.
Last week I saw a book in a Christian book store about death and how it’s not the end of one's life, as so many want to believe. I know a number of people that believe this way -- that when they die they are "just no more," they cease to exist. Jim said that "it's what they're hoping for, because they don't want to face the reality of heaven or hell."
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the assurance that when your time comes you know you will be in a much better - a most wonderful - place called heaven? To be able to be reunited with those you miss and love again. You might be thinking that it's not so - - but how do you know? What if there truly is such a place, you surely wouldn't what to miss it. Would you?
I don't have a little New Testament to give you with a fill in the blank page. You really don't need it anyway.
Jesus say's "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Rev 3:20
This verse reminds me of another memory. When my eldest son was around 3 years old we were setting on our living room, I was watching some minister on TV and he read this verse never saying what it was about. My son said to me, “Mommy, Jesus is knocking at my door.” I replied, “He is.” Then asked him where his door was and he replied pointing to his chest, “In My heart!”
Jesus doesn't ask, nor expect, you to put on any special clothes, or to bring out the best china and silver for dinner. He doesn't even ask what's for dinner, he just wants to sit down and break bread with you, just as you are. Why? Because He loves you just as you are, He wants to be your friend; why not open the door and dine with Him?
Sometimes I do hold on to things that I shouldn’t as I’m sure you do, and it eats at you. Then I’m reminded I do have someone to take things to. He is Faithful. He has blessed me this month so far more than you know and in the most wonderful ways. We aren’t even through this month.
Next month we’ll be celebrating our son getting married. We won’t have family there just us and his brothers - it’s too far and I’m sure it’s costly. But, I’ll be breaking out the tissue and recording another memory for my thoughts to hold dear and to share.
My birthday was on Mother’s Day this year - I have three blessing I always hold dear.
~
Fast forward to today this morning 17 years later I am finishing this draft I believe just might have ben meant for today.
Same sentiment and holiday / birthday combined. You could say still a mixed emotion May, with good memories and blessing mixed with sad. Somethings didn't work out as we hoped over the years - but isn't that how it is sometimes. God brought me/us through it all and will continue. We have suffered losses, and loved ones over the years, we've also been blessed living through good times and bad - let's be honest. But God by his grace has blessed this family - I do believe what Paul wrote years ago "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
How truth this is why would you want to make things harder on yourself than what you may experience in this temporary life? Let go. . . I love how my pastor shares and one phrase I shared myself recently, "the things we should remember we forget and the things we should forget we remember."
I glad I saw this drafted that need posting - wow 17 years gone by, the memory of my mom's dad and his little black pocket Bible. I'm also holding on to this verse:
"Sir, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:30-31
I hope all mom's everywhere had a blessed mom's day, believing for you and your family, God's grace is everything it's sufficient - trust Him for the out whatever you might have on your plate today - and if He's knocking at your door, my at the time 3 year old said where that door is at. ♡
I wished I had one of my grandpa's recording of him singing - I still hear him in my memories and I'll hear him again. Amen ~
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