Through the Stillness

There are times at church the sermon seems to be made just for me.  This morning, the sermon was great…but it was a song, The Old Rugged Cross that spoke to me.  The song reminds me of my dad and my great grandmother.  He sang it at her funeral and every time I hear it tears roll down my cheeks.

I remember one Easter Sunday getting ready for church.  I could not decide what necklace to wear…my cross necklace or my great grandmother’s locket.  At the last minute I chose the locket and off we went.  We picked my mother-in-law up and while my husband went inside her house, I sat in the car.  I didn’t realize I was even doing this but I was holding the locket in my hand.  The song, Old Rugged Cross came on, I looked down and realized the locket was in my hand and I cried.  It was one of those moments I felt the Lord was reminding me of His love…as He did again this morning.

I am a very sentimental person.  I have items passed down to me from two of my great grandmothers that I will always cherish.  When I am reminded of one great grandmother, I always think of the other as well.  So after church, feeling sentimental over the song, I pulled out my other great grandmother’s bible.  I always gather peace from the bible and all of the contents in it.  Bookmarks, pamphlets, and poems I have seen many times.  It sounds funny, but it seems one always stands out from the others at different times.  Today, it was a poem.  Yesterday morning I felt weak but was reminded the struggles of this life can and will carry us over to the other side…we just need to trust Him and take one day at a time.

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,

With its hurts and mistakes,

with its weakness and tears,

With its portion of pain and its burden of care;

One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong;

To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;

Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;

It shall darken and die, and the night she;; bring peace.

One day at a time––but the day is so long,

And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,

O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;

Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;

“Yea, I will be with thee, the troubles to meet;

I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;

I will not forsake thee; I never will leave.”

Not yesterday’s load we are called on to bear,

Nor the morrow’s uncertain and shadowy care;

Why should we look forward or back with dismay?

Our needs, as our mercies, are but for this day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;

He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.

His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;

As the day so the strength that He giveth His own.

~Annie Johnson Flint