Running through my head
One of the joys of moving home, apart from the obvious joy of being reunited with family and friends, is things that we've missed while living abroad.
My first trip to the grocery store, although disappointed that I could not find creme fraiche (nor probably will!), I found myself gravitating toward things we couldn't get in Switzerland, like sharp cheddar cheese, bagels, Lebanon bologna, and Wheat Thins. We've enjoyed many simple things like: working in the yard again, sitting on the screen porch and enjoying the beauty of the trees around us, listening to the radio and understanding everything that is said. Tomorrow we'll be able to read the comics and be back to our home church (order of importance different than the way I ordered that sentence!!)
But for me, one of the things that I was looking forward to was being able to play my piano again. I was too tired the evening we arrived, although I considered it when we both awoke at 3 a.m., but decided Bob might protest, and so I refrained. (Sorry, yes the word choice was intentional. You know that they say about being married to someone for a long time...)
Since then I have greatly enjoyed playing from a new Praise and Worship songbook that I had purchased while home over Christmas time. I found it while looking for the music for Worthy is the Lamb. I have been playing this song as well as two songs that were sung at two recent weddings that are very significant to me. (In Christ Alone & How Deep the Father's Love for Us. I can't play these songs without thinking of our sons and daughters-in-law.)
If you play an instrument or live in the same house with someone who does, you realize that when someone is learning a new piece of music, the music is repeated a few times. Although I don't sing audibly while playing (too hard for me to harmonize and focus on playing!), I am singing "in my head." And repetition results in the words coming to mind at other times as well.
So I find myself walking around the house, singing:
I have also been struck by the simple, yet profound words of the song, Worthy is the Lamb. In Jerry Bridge's book, Disciplines of Grace, he reminds his readers that we need to tell ourselves the gospel everyday. It's not simply for salvation, but Christ gift on the cross provides us with the only way by which to live the Christian life. We cannot live the life He has called us to live apart from the grace which He provides. May these words remind you of things of lasting importance. His love. His mercy. His grace. The price He paid. May we walk in the truth of those words.
My first trip to the grocery store, although disappointed that I could not find creme fraiche (nor probably will!), I found myself gravitating toward things we couldn't get in Switzerland, like sharp cheddar cheese, bagels, Lebanon bologna, and Wheat Thins. We've enjoyed many simple things like: working in the yard again, sitting on the screen porch and enjoying the beauty of the trees around us, listening to the radio and understanding everything that is said. Tomorrow we'll be able to read the comics and be back to our home church (order of importance different than the way I ordered that sentence!!)
But for me, one of the things that I was looking forward to was being able to play my piano again. I was too tired the evening we arrived, although I considered it when we both awoke at 3 a.m., but decided Bob might protest, and so I refrained. (Sorry, yes the word choice was intentional. You know that they say about being married to someone for a long time...)
Since then I have greatly enjoyed playing from a new Praise and Worship songbook that I had purchased while home over Christmas time. I found it while looking for the music for Worthy is the Lamb. I have been playing this song as well as two songs that were sung at two recent weddings that are very significant to me. (In Christ Alone & How Deep the Father's Love for Us. I can't play these songs without thinking of our sons and daughters-in-law.)
If you play an instrument or live in the same house with someone who does, you realize that when someone is learning a new piece of music, the music is repeated a few times. Although I don't sing audibly while playing (too hard for me to harmonize and focus on playing!), I am singing "in my head." And repetition results in the words coming to mind at other times as well.
So I find myself walking around the house, singing:
Why should I gain for His reward?,
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
How Deep the Father's Love for Us. Lyrics: Stuart Townend
I have also been struck by the simple, yet profound words of the song, Worthy is the Lamb. In Jerry Bridge's book, Disciplines of Grace, he reminds his readers that we need to tell ourselves the gospel everyday. It's not simply for salvation, but Christ gift on the cross provides us with the only way by which to live the Christian life. We cannot live the life He has called us to live apart from the grace which He provides. May these words remind you of things of lasting importance. His love. His mercy. His grace. The price He paid. May we walk in the truth of those words.
Thank you for the cross, Lord;
Thank you for the price You paid;
Bearing all my sin and shame,
in love you came,
and gave amazing grace;
Thank you for this love, Lord;
Thank you for the nail-pierced hands;
Washed me in Your cleaning flow,
now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace.
Worthy is the Lamb,
seated on the throne;
Crown You now with many crowns,
You reign victorious;
High and lifted up;
Jesus, Son of God,
the Darling of heaven crucified;
Worthy is the Lamb.words and music by Darlene Zschech
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