Give Me Jesus

This afternoon I sat at beautiful Baldwin grand, in the Marr Chapel on Signal Mountain, prepared to play for a funeral.

Just this week, leading up to the event, a lot had happened.  Michael turned 40.  My folks moved here from Michigan, a family member had surgery – and then this:  a close friend of the family, Michael’s life-long neighbor, passed on to glory.

So, you’ll understand when I tell you that I arrived at the chapel, with quite a bit of emotion churning on my insides.     I was stepping off a roller coaster, just in time to sit at the keys and play.

But, I was blessed as the moments passed and the congregation arrived,  not just to play, but to worship.  Many old hymns flowed from my fingertips, just the way I imagine Ray would have enjoyed, and my heart swelled praising God; the same God who just days ago welcomed Ray home.

Life moves forward, faster, beyond my control, every day. And sometimes I’m not sure how to keep up.  I suppose it is just a new stage of life I’m entering, but it all feels new and the future seems a bit uncertain.    But, no matter what comes, there is one thing that is more important than everything else.  It is Jesus.   He is the one I must cling to;  He is the one who was in the beginning, and He will meet me at the end.     All else pales in comparison.

My friend, Michael (not to be confused with my hubby) sang a song that is still resonating in my mind.  I’ve known the words for quite some time, but truly, they meant so much more to me today.   I welcomed the opportunity to slow down, rest in the truth of this prayer and make it my own…

Give Me Jesus