Sunday, October 12, 2008

Now What? October 2008

October 08 Meltdown: Now What?

When everything we've known as probabilities hits shaky ground what do we do to hold on?

"What if's"circle with no where to land...what if my employer goes under? ....what if no one can afford my professional fees?....what if the taxes don't cover educational needs and my teaching position is eliminated?....what if my retirement setup is not sufficient?


Personally I have hit some meltdowns, and in the end I found my only sure hope was in God. One particular frightening time I recalled a pianist friend played a solo in church: Jesus Loves Me. To this day I have never felt the presence of God like I did when Sara played that song. I went to her and asked what was going on when she played this song. She teared up and reminded me of a few years ago when her oldest son died in a bizarre boat dock moving accident. For a full year the only peace she could find came as she played Jesus Loves Me on the piano. God comforted her as she came to believe every wonderful word of that hymn; for herself, her son and her family. As she dwelt in Jesus' love she healed.

When my personal meltdown hit I researched this hymn. Daily I sang it (privately...no one would choose to hear me sing anything). All my friends know this is my favorite hymn. Whenever I am asked what is the greatest miracle from God in my life I always echo this hymn: God chose me; loved me; and pursued me for salvation and He knew my thoughts, motivations, and actions....Amazing! His Grace still awes me; ...all the glory is indeed His.

For the next few days I will share with you the story behind this hymn that began in another U.S. meltdown. For almost 20 years I have been telling this story. Saints have come to me after singing this song daily as they pressed through their tragedies. I will share some of these miracles.

Jesus is enough....more than enough no matter where you find yourself in the meltdown of 08.

Jesus Loves Me

"Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong
Refrain:"Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so. "
Jesus loves me!
This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, ‘Let them come to Me.
"Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
"Jesus loves me!
He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
"Jesus loves me!
He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me
I will henceforth live for Thee.
(Note: this next stanza from the original is commonly omitted in hymnals)
"Jesus loves me!
Loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill,
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree."
Jesus loves you...whether you realize it or not. His love is not dependent on your actions; your responses; your situation....He is love!
Please comment on any stories you have around this amazing truth and hymn.
Jesus Loves Me! and You!

2 comments:

Joyfulsister said...

Amen Sistah..
I can relate to Sarah playing with an anointing as she played Jesus Loves me. My husband who has a had a very hard childhood of abuse put his all into his piano even as a child, and till today the Lord gives him the most soothing and gentle songs that touches the hearts of broken people everywhere that hear his music. Jesus loves loves me seems like a simple song. but oh how powerful it is..Love this post .

Hugs Lorie

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Awesome words!! Can't wait to hear more!

© 2008 Kay Martin

Thrive In Christ

Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson

For several months we will center on this book to pursue Thriving in our Christian journey.

Neil challenges us with: "Do you know who you are in God's eyes? We are no longer products of our past. We are primarily products of Christ's work on the cross. Who we are determines what we do.

You are not who you are in Christ because of the things you have done, you are in Christ because of what He has done. He died and rose again so that you and I could live in the FREEDOM of His love."

That's just the introduction. More to follow.