The phone call was made. The question was asked. What is your favorite hymn? Her Grandma's response, 'The Old Rugged Cross'. Her Grandma, my Mom, is ill. Her days, weeks, months, hopeful for years, are numbered. As for us all. Anna's rotation to sing during the offertory at church was coming up in a month or so and she wanted to honor her Grandma with the hymn that meant so much to her. And when that time came, our Anna, sang it beautifully!
Anna paired the hymn with the song, 'Satisfied in You (Psalm 42)'. My Mama in her wheelchair, Dad, and I sat there in wonder as her angelic voice sang out with such transparency. Such vulnerability. When the song came to its bridge, it's lyrics could not be more fitting for her sweet Grandma. "Let my sighs give way to songs that sing about your faithfulness. Let my pain reveal your glory as my only real rest. Let my losses show me all I truly have is you. 'Cause all I truly have is You." With the last line in the chorus being, "Like a bed of rest for my fainting flesh, I am satisfied in You." And at the songs end, the chorus of the 'Old Rugged Cross', rang out all the more, "So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown."
Mom looked at me in wonder as she had no idea that our Anna would sing that song, in honoring her Grandma's Faith. So clearly she was touched as she embraced her grand-daughter. And as my tear streaked face turned their way, I knew that my Mom had received a priceless gift from her Lord and her loving, Anna. A fundamental reminder of the Strengthening Love and the cleansing blood that only comes from 'That Ole Rugged Cross'!
