Monday again!

This past week absolutely sped by; how it's Monday again already, I'm not sure! But, it is, so here's this week's glimpse at some of the blessings God's given me:

71. A brother who is not afraid to speak the truth to me in love, even when it's not easy for him to say or for me to hear.

72. The Gospel, and the reminder that there is never so much as a second in my life when I'm not utterly in need of my Savior.

73. Lots of opportunities this week to bake (and, consequently, a new blog!).

74. That Paul got back safely from Haiti last week.

75. Anticipation of my upcoming trip to Tennessee this weekend (so excited to see friends and family, and for the mountains and all the beautiful fall colors!)

76. That my washing machine is now usable (now just need to get the dryer up and running!)

77. A new candle

78. This month's hymn of the month at my church

79. That my hope is in Christ and that nothing is impossible for God.

80. Silly moments with friends

fifty-one to sixty

51. Cooler weather (the high today is only 79, and it's a beautiful 58 degrees out at the moment!)

52. The ability to laugh at myself

53. That God can and does use even me (yeah, crazy!) to accomplish His purposes for His glory--in spite of my ignorance and ineptitude!

54. Multiple opportunities recently to share the reason for the Hope that is in me

55. That even though I wish I myself were in Haiti, I can at least read stories from those who are.

56. Girl time with the lovely Sabrina, Everly, and Birdie which involved chocolate (of course) and finally getting to watch Letters to Juliet again.

57. This book, which Sabrina, Everly, and I used for our summer book study (though summer has turned into fall and we still have a final meeting left).

58. Swinging in the twilight on a cool autumn evening.

59. That I have no guilt in life, no fear in death (this is the power of Christ in me) / From life's first cry to final breath, JESUS COMMANDS MY DESTINY!

60. For my "Texas family", my church, several of my coworkers, my "flogos" Bible study group -- all those God has put in my life who encourage me and challenge me to grow in my faith and in my walk with Him.

'Tis So Sweet

I was listening to my Keith and Kristyn Getty Pandora station earlier, and Phillips, Craig, and Dean's version of "'Tis So sweet" came on. I've grown up hearing this song, and it probably ranks among my favorite hymns (though, granted, I have a rather long list of "favorites"). I love the lyrics, I love the tune, and today I discovered that I particularly like PC&D's rendition. However, until today I hadn't given much of a thought to the background of the hymn, i.e. the circumstances that led to its being written. I googled the hymnwriter, Louisa Stead, and discovered this:

Louisa Stead and her husband were relaxing with their four-year-old daughter on a Long Island beach when they heard a desperate child's cry.

A boy was drowning, and Louisa's husband tried to rescue him.

In the process, however, the boy pulled Mr. Stead under the water, and both drowned as Louisa and her daughter watched.

Louisa Stead was left with no means of support except the Lord. She and her daughter experienced dire poverty. One morning, when she had neither funds nor food for the day, she opened the front door and found that someone had left food and money on her doorstep. That day she wrote this hymn.

Tis So Sweet

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His word
Just to rest upon his promise
Just to know, "thus saith the Lord"

Yes tis sweet to trust in Jesus
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest and joy and peace

Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that Thou art with me
Wilt be with me to the end
—Louisa Stead

What an amazing testimony to God's grace and the joy that comes in knowing Him. May I, likewise, "learn to trust Him: and know that He is "with me, wilt be with me to the end."