Yesterday we spent part of an hour
at our favorite garden nursery.
I was blessed by this garden statue.
I can't get it out of my mind...
Today the words of an old song
are singing themselves in my heart.
I remember singing it first when I was
in junior high, playing piano for a children's choir
under the direction of Prof. Don Ogden...
Children of the Heav'nly Father
simple tune...incredibly comforting words...
breathe them into your spirit as you read them softly to yourself.
you'll be changed. i promise.
simple tune...incredibly comforting words...
breathe them into your spirit as you read them softly to yourself.
you'll be changed. i promise.
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
Lo, their very hairs He numbers,
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessing
And His help in woes distressing.
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:
Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foeman must surrender.
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
Lo, their very hairs He numbers,
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessing
And His help in woes distressing.
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:
Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foeman must surrender.
Oh Rebecca, this hymn holds fond memories for me. I got teary eyed "singing" through the words you posted here, especially verse 4. Years ago a close friend died suddenly of a heart attack...she was only 47. This was sung at her funeral. She had been the first person to greet us when we joined that church. After 13 years there, we left to search for another church, and would you believe during our first service there, this same hymn was sung? It was like God wrapping his arms around me and confirming it was ok to make that difficult change. I'm going to try to teach this to Elylah!!
ReplyDeleteI love the statue too, and the message of your post. I'm a nurturer at heart but it isn't always as easy for me to be on the receiving end of it.
ReplyDeleteCindy (Letters from Midlife)
This is precious and comforting and I too
ReplyDeletelove the statue.
How comforting - both the beautiful statue and the hymn, which I have never heard. The Father as a nourisher is such an assuring image - and reality!
ReplyDeleteI read the words to the entire song. You're right. It's wonderful...I especially liked the line abotu how God knows our every sorrow. We're not alone :) :) :) Awesome. Thanks for sharing this. Have a great week. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteI had tears in my eyes, too, as I read the words to this old hymn. When I was just a small child, my father sang this to me as he knelt beside my bed. He thought I was asleep, but I heard every word, and I never forgot that. Whenever I have felt alone, insecure, or that I have lost my way, I sing this song. It's such a comfort to me. Thank you so much. I'm so glad I found your blog today. I'm catching up here!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen these words for a long time. Thank you so much for re-introducing it to me. I sang it in my heart and found such a surge of joy knowing that my Heavenly Father knows my sorrows -- even some nobody else knows. I needed that assurance today.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Rebecca,
Pamela
I haven't seen this hymn for a long time. What a wonderful message and a comfort in some stressful times. I not only read them, I sang them out loud; you are right--they change your heart. Donna
ReplyDelete