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
Through the Stillness 