Tonight I had the opportunity to attend a precious prayer service for our friend, Sweeney, whose cancer battle I have mentioned in recent weeks. As I explained to the children this afternoon that they would be staying with a babysitter for the hour or so that we were meeting K knowingly said, "Because it is too complicated for kids, right Mama?" I wasn't really certain how to respond.
It was a very special time in my neighbor's living room of quoting Scripture, singing hyms and choruses and praying for our friend. What an awesome reminder of the hope we have in our Lord and of the beauty of the body of Christ as we care for each other!
The time concluded with a hymn that our friend has been quoting as he walks this road, "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus."
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just 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!
O 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.
I just want to mull those words for a while.
I came home to kiss my babies and tuck them in. I was struck by my children's fresh perspective when K said, "Mama, let's thank God tonight for all the things He made...but especially lambs, lovies and lollipops."
As we prayed I couldn't help but stand in awe that the God of the Universe who minutes prior had heard our pleas for the healing of our friend was now lovingly listening to my daughter's joy at the simple (and random) things in life. It was then that it occured to me maybe it was not too complicated for children, but in fact for the grown ups with their 'mature' faiths.
"Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. Mark 10:15 (The Message)
8 comments:
Thanks for your comment. I clicked a link on my sister's blog tonight and it took me to a blog of someone I don't know, but he is updating on Sweeney and posting letters from them and it was interesting how we can all be connected by blogs, and God, like 6 Degrees of Separation.
" It was then that it occured to me maybe it was not too complicated for children, but in fact for the grown ups with their 'mature' faiths." ...JMom, I think you are so right on this. I love the hymn 'Tis So Sweet, and I think I'll be thinking on those words for a while too. Great post tonight.
Praying for Sweeney.
Tis so sweet to trust in Him...enough said.
I agree, that we adults sometimes complicate things. That's why we're supposed to have a childlike faith.
Praying for your friends...
I love the Message version of tha verse.....the simplicity of a child.
Praying for your friend still.
Also, I'm kind of wondering if K has been studying the letter 'L' in school. =)
I love that hymn. This summer I threw a surprise 75th birthday party for my mom. I invited all her old friends--women who she had done life with since they were all in their late 20s/early 30s. They sat in a circle and recounted their friendship, God's faithfulness through all their trials and joys, and then we ended by singing this hymn together. I've been teaching it to my girls too--it's a great legacy to pass on...
We should have an evening like that once a month! Hope they had a good appointment.
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