LOVE LIFTED ME!

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

For weeks I have been in the ‘Prayer on the Go’ mode!  Returning from a Mission trip to Portugal at the end of May left me scampering to get caught up with the piles of mail that my dear neighbor Brenda had collected in a neat pile on my counter. Also catching up on committees I am a part of, catching up with visiting my mom, along with other church happenings put me into the run, run, run, mode.

Plus on the 20th of June my sisters Joanna and Maxine drove down for a two week yearly reunion with myself and my other two sisters Roberta and Donna in Bracebridge. It was also a time for Joanna and Maxine to visit our 103 year old mother now at Muskoka Hills Retirement Home in Bracebridge. Needless to say my devotions and morning prayers have been rushed and almost none existent.

When I have a lot of things to distract me something has to go by the wayside and for me that is often giving God the short end of the stick with my ‘prayers on the go’. Words like… “I’ll catch up with you later Lord”, or “You know what is going on and so please look after all the details for me.” Then an added… “Please bless my day and keep my guardian angel on the look-out as I travel about.”

Thankfully Jesus does not rely on my prayers and always welcomes me back when I drop by for a longer visit as I hear Him say… “I missed you and I’m so happy to spend time with you again,” while He embraces me in a big bear hug. I love His patience for this oft times negligent saint who often takes His love for granted.

Well, a few mornings ago I welcomed a respite from the running, and began my morning devotions by singing ‘Love Lifted Me’ from an old Hymn book. I then spent a nice time with Jesus in prayer. I must admit I usually do most of the talking, but this time I did do some listening and learning.

I then began my first task of the day by pulling the sheets off my bed for Saturday’s wash. Usually I remake the bed later in the day, but that hymn came back to me and I began singing the first verse and the chorus over and over as it filled my heart with joy. I finished remaking the bed in record time!

Now what was unusual about all this was most of the time I cannot remember all the words without humming through some parts. Well, all the words to the first verse came popping into my mind and out my mouth as I repeatedly sang the verse and chorus. The words overflowed my heart as it brought to mind the broken state I once was in, and the joyful mending Jesus has made in my life.

This mending happened when I gave my life over to Him as a child and over the years learning to trust in His leading me through the barbed wire fences; His being my confidant who knows my deepest sins yet still loves and forgives me; His remaining a loyal friend I can always depend on to be there; But most of all He is my Savior who died for me so I could spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Believing in Him has not always been an easy road for me to travel, however without Him I would be, as this wonderful hymn says, “Sinking to rise no more.”

There was one word in the first verse that I knew was not the original word, but it fit perfectly so I sang it instead. The word in the song is ‘Master’ and while that is true, the word ‘Author’ came to my mind instead. Both words fit, but Author to me encompasses more than the Sea, it means everything that exists in this world, including me, was made by Jesus the Author and Finisher of Everything.

The love of Jesus truly lifted me out of the bog and mire of my sinful life, and I know He can and will do the same for anyone else who turns to Him. I have included part of this wonderful hymn here, and if you want to know the rest of the verses find an old Hymn book or go on line and google…Love Lifted Me, and discover the only hope for your Happy ever after’.

Love Lifted Me

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me
Now safe am I.

Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.

by James Rowe & Howard E. Smith

 

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