No Words

You know those times when you sit down to pray, and the words just aren’t there? I had one of those times recently. All I could come up with was “Be with me, Lord” - and the next thought I had was the old hymn - “Be with me Lord, I cannot live without Thee. I dare not try to take one step alone. I cannot bear the loads of life unaided, I need thy strength to lean myself upon.” 

I had a long trail of thought so I began to journal, beginning with my general “meh” feeling about old hymns (don’t judge, I have my reasons). And yet, sometimes I’ll hear a phrase or think about a situation, and a verse from one of those hymns will emerge from the dusty, cobwebbed files way back in my memory. 

I looked up the lyrics of "Be With Me Lord," and they so resonated with me. It was beautiful poetry. I wrote in my journal that I felt the author and I were kindred spirits. Then I decided to look him up. T.O. Chisholm, was born in Franklin, KY, in 1866. He grew up on a farm, and later taught in district schools, and he was the editor of the local paper. He became a Christian at age 26; he began writing hymns with a goal to incorporate as much scripture as possible, and avoid trite and sentimental themes. 

My mind was blown. You see, I was born in 1967, raised in Franklin, KY from the age of 3, both of my parents were in education, I was the editor of my high school paper and I've journaled, written articles and poetry, and taught Bible, pretty much my whole life.  AND, I'm not a fan of the trite. I like to incorporate scripture in what I write to exceed mere human opinion and provide a sturdier foundation of Truth.  T.O. and I, really are kindred spirits!

I started that time alone with no words, and here I was again, with no words! Though I couldn't express what was on my heart, I reached out to God with my palms open, just to say, "I need your presence".  Even in my wordless stupor, He put a small token of His love in my empty hand, to show me that He saw me and heard the groans of my spirit.  I felt that the whole experience was His way of winking and saying, “No need to worry daughter; I’m right here.” Thank you, Father. You always give me just what I need.

"My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." Ps. 27:8

Photo by Folco Masi on Unsplash