Friday of Week Five

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!" —Psalm 136:1

I have hit that stage of life where the challenges you have to face change. The kids are grown, you have retired and now you have to fill your time all on your own. Then, the best thing of all comes and enters your life—grandkids. They, or in my case, she, brings new energy, focus, and a few worries. How do I keep up with her? How do I keep her safe? What kind of example am I going to be for her? So where does God’s peace fit in the plan?

For me, it is most obvious when trying to soothe a crying baby. Holding her in your arms, trying to calm her and get her to go to sleep. She likes to be sung to as part of her bedtime routine. I know few songs, but start the process with Jesus Loves Me. I work my way through the old hymns that I learned as a child.  By the time I have made it through Sweet Hour of Prayer and In the Garden, we have both relaxed, breathing slows, and she finally goes to sleep. God’s peace fills the space as I sing, “as he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own.”  Singing or humming the old hymns that I learned as a child provide the calm to any stressful situation. I can’t carry a tune, have bad rhythm, and don’t always remember all the words, but the peaceful feeling still comes.

Author: Debbie Hanks

Personal Reflection:
What are songs that you would sing to soothe a crying baby, or to be a part of a bedtime routine? What songs give you peace?

Daily Action:
Find one of your favorite hymns/songs online and share it with someone, but tell them why it is your favorite.