Home is where you start from: Abiding; a hymn I am enjoying

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Abiding; a hymn I am enjoying

These days I am spending alot of time sitting with my dear father-in-law. During the day he is in and out, so we just sit to be with him, to hold his hand, to get him something...to let him know he is not alone. I find myself reading alot more of my bible these days, and sometimes just sitting with my hymn book singing along in my mind. Here is one that has meant alot to me lately...

1.O Jesus, Jesus, dearest Lord! Forgive me if I say,
For very love, Thy sacred name A thousand times a day.

O Jesus, Lord, with me abide;
I rest in Thee, whate'er betide;
Thy gracious smile is my reward;
I love, I love Thee, Lord!

2.I love Thee so I know not how My transport to control;
Thy love is like a burning fire Within my very soul.

3.For Thou to me art all in all; My honor and my wealth;
My heart's desire, my body's strength, My soul's eternal health.

4.Burn, burn, O love, within my heart,
Burn fiercely night and day, Till all the dross of earthly loves
Is burned, and burned away.

5.O light in darkness, joy in grief, O heaven's life on earth;
Jesus, my love, my treasure, who Can tell what Thou art worth?

6.What limit is there to this love? Thy flight, where wilt Thou stay?
On, on! our Lord is sweeter far Today than yesterday.

posted at 11:39 AM
8 comments

8 Comments:

At 12:58 PM, Anonymous said...: The hymns can fill you with a sense of peace and comfort so quickly. Thank you for this beautiful one.
At 1:33 PM, Anonymous said...: I just feel so bad that you're all going through such a sad thing right now. But I know for sure that your presence is a huge comfort to him. When my mother-in-law knew she was terminal, I knew her biggest fears came over her when she was alone at night so I sat up with her all night long and we talked and talked and talked. I'm so blessed that she and I had that time together.
At 2:16 PM, Anonymous said...: My dear friend lost her father in law in the past year. He was in a hopsice for failing kidneys and she said those last few weeks with him were the most precious because they truly focused on what was IMPORTANT. Not the news of the day, not the chores to be done; just spending time together, talking with the grandkids, enjoying one another. The day he died he took a long shower and actually sat up and talked with the family most of the day.

You are all in my prayers. How are your kids taking it?
At 3:20 PM, Hen Jen said...: Barb,

thanks for the note of encouragement. I think the hard part right now is that he fades in and out and we do not know sometimes if he is aware or not...he sleeps alot, says a few words that make sense, then either falls asleep or says something that doesn't make sense. I've noticed he is more this way during the day, but more with us in the evening. Last night he was very firm about us checking something, it didn't make sense and he was being humored. He was getting a little ticked, finally figured out what he wanted...his oxygen wasn't working right, and he was correct. But he was so ticked after that, I felt bad that we humored him alittle, but it is so hard to know what is going on with him. I am with him alot hoping for more of the lucid moments, I hope we get more during the end too.

Jen
At 3:27 PM, Hen Jen said...: Lindsey,

thank you for your prayers, and your kind note. I dropped everything at first, but now I am stressed and frustrated, so today I decided to stay home for the day and do homeschool and cleaning and just being together and to go over towards late afternoon, since he seems to be more awake then. The kids are sad, but happy to go in and get just a smile or a word. I don't know if my 4 year old really gets it yet. I try not to force them to go into his room, I remember how scary a sick room, and a dying person can be. I don't know if they should see him now that his face is changing as he declines, I'm not sure what to do...I guess I will pray and do what needs to be done at that moment. It's all very bittersweet, the time we are blessed with him, but yet seeing such a strong, can-do man declining so much.
thank you for the notes and thoughts, they really mean alot to me.

Jenny
At 7:51 PM, Anonymous said...: Jenny:

continueing to pray for you and your family. You're all in my heart and thoughts.
At 10:49 AM, Cyndi said...: What beautiful words. Please know that I am praying. {{{{hug}}}
At 12:49 PM, Hen Jen said...: Cyndi,

it is a really beautiful song if you hear it sung. I have a friend who has a really nice voice, and I first heard her sing it, so I always hear her voice in my head with I sing it to myself.
thank you for your prayers, it means alot to me to know.

Jenny

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