Going through my journal this week of Dad's health journey I rediscovered a hymn and a prayer each that I shrunk down to keep in my notebook for moments along the way when words lack yet there's so much to be said:
How sweet and awful is the place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores.
While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,
“Lord, why was I a guest?
“Why was I made to hear thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?”
‘Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.
Pity the nations, O our God,
Constrain the earth to come;
Send thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.
We long to see thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice and heart and soul,
Sing thy redeeming grace.
Morning Prayer
Grant unto me, my Lord, that with peace in mind I may face all that this new day is to bring.
Grant unto me grace to surrender myself completely to thy holy will.
Instruct and prepare me in all things for every hour of this day.
Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept them calmly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will.
Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.
When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.
Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward every member of my family and all other human beings, that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to anyone.
Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my share in all its passing events.
Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.