This is My Story, This is My Song

“You know when you’re young and you think you’ll always be. As you become more fragile, you reflect and you realize how much comfort can come from the past. Hymns can carry you into the future”. ~ Andy Griffith

Hymns… I like them! I really do. Ok, I don’t necessarily choose the hymn station on the radio (does one even exist?), nor do I have a specific playlist just for the hymns but I do have a soft spot for those precious songs.

If you’ve followed much about me you already know that I grew up in church. In fact, it was pretty much all I knew in life for most of my growing up years at home. Not a bad thing… in fact, I think it was a good thing (for the most part). Like anyone, it has made me who I am today.

Well, hymns came with that way of life. We didn’t only sing hymns at our church. We did sing other more “current” worship songs. But there has always been something about the absolute truths and solid words in a hymn that touched me. The words still come to mind throughout moments in my life. Not only to bring peace or truth when it’s most needed, but also a memory of particular people or moments. I guess just like any other song could.

For instance, my grandma. She attended the same baptist church in her home town for more years than I can even imagine. Now THAT was a church that loved their hymns! Whenever we’d visit, there would be that board on the church wall that would list the hymn number being played and the scripture being read for that day. So, I could always go sit in the pew and find what songs we’d get to sing that morning. Loved it! And they wouldn’t only choose a couple verses to sing, they would sing ALL the verses.

I remember there was one time I was visiting my grandma and I got to sleep in her room. She had a spare little bed in the corner. It started to storm. And I heard her start to softly sing…”count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God had done. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God hath done.”… and then we counted our blessings. It’s a memory I treasure and I smile whenever I hear that song.

My grandma has since passed away. We miss her greatly. I was honored to sing at her service. One of the hymns sung was “How Great Thou Art” (by Stuart K. Hine). ~ “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art.”

I had an Aunt Roxie (btw – everyone should have an Aunt Roxie). One of the most precious women ever in my life besides my own mother. Near the end of her days I had been working on the song “Wonderful Merciful Savior” for an event I was invited to perform at. She had me sing it for her when I had visited her one day. Yet another sweet memory that is forever etched in my mind and heart because of a song. Anytime I hear that song or think of those words, I think of her! I count that as a blessing. ♥

My dad was the minister of the church we attended and so I often hear his voice as I reminisce on old hymns. Every Easter we’d sing “Up From the Grave He Arose” (by Robert Lowry). I can still hear how he boldly sang the words…”with a mighty triumph o’er his foes”.

My most favorite is “It is Well With My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford. This hymn was written after some very traumatic events in Spafford’s life. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul)

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Words that I have thought of and sung so often at times in my life. It has brought perspective and truth where it has been most needed. As I’ve mentioned in “About Me” of this blog… I believe to the core of my being that God is good, all the time. Hymns (among other things) keep that fresh in my mind and heart.

Hymns… do you have a favorite? Perhaps a favorite memory?

~ Becky ♥ ~