Saturday, May 12, 2012

My Jesus, I Love Thee

Mother's Day is not the easiest for me, although I think it should be a joyful time. Sometimes, I feel like I have an emotional struggle with sadness and wanting to rejoice with those around me who God has blessed to be mothers. This year I have a Mother-in-Law, which obviously, I have never experienced before. Plus there is the Stepmom, "adopted" Mom, Aunts who are like having another Mom, and awesome friends who happen to be Moms. I certainly cannot forget my Grandma, who turned 91 this month. She has been a Mom a long time and all these ladies are to be celebrated.

When my Mom was in the hospital, I would sing to her. Nothing impressive, I promise, but just cause sitting in a hospital is boring. I would sing hymns that she knew or I would randomly pick. I tried to sing hymns that I knew all the verses to, so the singing would last longer. When she was first in the hospital she sang along with me sometimes. We used to sing in the car together, so it was nothing unfamiliar or out-of-the-ordinary. During the last few days of her life, this is the song I would sing most often as I would hold her hand. It was one of her favorites and still is one of mine, verse four is especially beautiful as I imagine the truth of those words!

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.


I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.


I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.


In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
William Ralph Featherston, 1864

So for the Moms to be celebrated and the Moms being missed because they are experiencing the joys of Heaven, the best thing is life has been and will always be having a relationship with Jesus. Life is truly all about Him. I pray He is the One we love and celebrate every day.

Happy Mother's Day!

1 comment:

Aunt Esther said...

I love you Shawna.