they were right

“Now my boy goes like a house on fire

He’ll never burn out and he’ll never retire

And I remember when I used to think like that

When I was young and the world was flat

But I’m forty some years old now and man I don’t care

All I want now is just a comfortable chair”

—James McMurtry “Childish Things”

My parents were right when they said, “You’ll understand when you’ve lived awhile longer.”This morning I pulled out my guitar and softly strummed and sang “Children of the Heavenly Father” and “I am Jesus Little Lamb” for my daughter and my wife. I was taught these in middle school in the children’s choir at my Lutheran church. I did not appreciate them then. They seemed like sentimental drivel and I probably made fun of them. Now that mom is gone and I have three young children myself they mean the world to me.

 

 

“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”

—Lina Sandell “Children of the Heavenly Father”

 

“I am Jesus’ little lamb,Ever glad at heart I am;

For my Shepherd gently guides me,

Knows my need, and well provides me,

Loves me every day the same,Even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, away,

Jesus is my Staff and Stay.

When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,

Into pleasant pastures leads me;

When I thirst, He bids me go

Where the quiet waters flow.

Who so happy as I am,

Even now the Shepherd’s lamb?

And when my short life is ended,

By His angel host attended,

He shall fold me to His breast,

There within His arms to rest.”

—Henriette L. von Hayn, “I Am Jesus Little Lamb,” A Moravian hymn.