Beautiful waiting

She listens from her hospital bed and her smile does not falter.  She fixes her one good eye on the little girl singing at her bedside. Her husband stands beside her, steadying himself with his walker, and mouths the words as she sings. Is it age that makes him tremble, or his proximity to the Savoir of whom she sings?

The fruit of my womb, now ten years old, holds her hymnal and sings with confidence. "Beautiful Savior..."

And I get to watch.

Dear Wilma. Her body is failing; even speech is hard for her, and yet she waits on her Lord.  She accepts the care of others with grace.  Life is not all about doing, producing, and working.  In this, her quiet season, she shows us the grace of waiting.  Without words, she preaches the futility of placing hope in things that are seen: in heath, in bodies, in life as it is today.   The things of this world are crumbling, and yet her spirit is strong. 

Indeed, her Savior is Beautiful.

And my daughter, she sings.  With the strength and confidence of youth she sings-- words of our shared faith that she has only just begun to learn. She is a tender shoot, a vulnerable young plant, but her song gives us hope for the future.  Perhaps the whirlwind of busy living will not whisk all faith from every heart. Perhaps some will slow to hear, to learn, to sing, and to trust.

Oh Lord, open our ears to your Word, and fill our spirits with that which the world cannot give: peace beyond understanding, and a sure and certain hope in Your mercy towards us. Jesus, Savior, pour out your beauty upon us, and give us eyes to see.  Amen.

Beautiful Savior

By: Gesangbuch, Munster

Beautiful Savior, 

King of creation,

Son of God and Son of Man! 

Truly I’d love thee, 

Truly I’d serve thee, 

Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

Fair are the meadows,

Fair are the woodlands,

Robed in flowers of blooming spring;

Jesus is fairer, 

Jesus is purer,

He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Fair is the sunshine,

Fair is the moonlight,

Bright the sparkling stars on high;

Jesus shines brighter,

Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels in the sky.

Beautiful Savior, 

Lord of the nations, 

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration

Now and forevermore be thine!