peace like a river…

Long, long ago, there was a time when I was the piano student, not the teacher.  My lessons were with an extraordinary instructor, Sharon Harris – who also happened to be my aunt.  She gave me many insights when it came to life, home making and playing the piano, for all of which I am very grateful.  But, to be very specific she taught me how to play for church services, how to accompany and ‘fill in’ on hymns.  It was eye opening and enlightening: it was the beginning of a career.

One of the first hymns we ever tackled together, attempting to add in ‘extras’ was, “Like a River Glorious.”  I can’t say that initially it was truly glorious.  In fact, I’m sure it was likely the opposite.   I strived to play it with gusto, hoping to play it for a worship service someday.  Back then the river was simply a nice spiritual thought…

By middle school I was playing in Sunday School and youth worship.  Whenever I played that hymn, it was like second nature because I had rehearsed it so much.  I remember thinking when we would sing it how nice the words were – “How lovely, His peace is like a river…”  But I didn’t really get it then.  I didn’t need the river yet…

Today, my piano student played an arrangement of “Like a River Glorious.”  Here was my old friend to greet me,  the ebb and flow of its words gently rocking my soul to a place of calm and rest.

Its funny how things that are certain at age nine can be so unsure at 35.  Peace is easy to find at the young age of nine when hardships and worries are hard to come by.  At this point, the realities of  life are much more complicated and doubts are deeply rooted.  Which is why a song that I learned years and years ago, is so much more beautiful now. It isn’t just a pleasant ideal- its a necessity.

When my student left and I had time to myself, I took a moment to let the words refresh me.  As I read over the lyrics that time had not fully erased, I felt the cares of this life washing away in the gentle current of His promises. Oh how I needed the river today.  His peace truly is perfectly glorious.

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.

 

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

 

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

 

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

(originally written February, 2011)