It was spring on Hines Crescent where my family lived in London, Ontario… We had moved there almost two years before. Life had been a bit unsettled since then, but one person made everything else okay. GG. My Great Grandmother, GG, came to visit every spring and this year was no exception. All was right with the world when she came to town.
At this time in my life all of my energy and focus was put towards playing the piano. I was eight, my hands were tiny, but I soaked the information up from piano lessons like a sponge and I practiced like I was eighteen. GG was my biggest fan and my best encourager. I remember her sitting in the living room, working at the daily crossword from the paper while I played the same songs again and again.
GG was a pianist in her own right and she seemed to understand my love for the instrument. One day I confided in her, telling her of my dream to be the pianist at church for the hymns. Immediately, she pulled out one of our colorful paperback chorus books and helped me find one song to work on. She said it would be fairly easy for me: in this book the song was in G major. I’d start with the melody line and play it until I could add in all of the notes in both hands. The song certainly wold be helpful in my future.
Over and over I played it. Sometimes she’d even sing along, and I can still hear it now…
“When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride…”
Truthfully, at 8 I had no idea what those words meant. But with the many sins and mistakes that have marked my journey, all of these years later I have come to realize she was right: the song would be meaningful in my future. The lyrics to this anthem are truth for every believer’s heart and a guide post for each follower’s path.
This Easter weekend they have taken over my mind as I take time to look on the cross, His sacrifice and His love for me. The forgiven life that I live, the daily grace I experience has nothing to do with what I’ve done. Only His life given, His blood shed, His victory over death: this is an amazing, divine love to behold.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (from Colossians 1)
Thank you Lord, for the gift of your righteousness, purchased with your own life’s blood. I am left undone, knowing this love you have for me. Keep my heart tender, my eyes focused on the cross and your sacrifice, today and always. amen.
md
daily portion 