I hear her making noise, softly at first but then with volume increasing. She’s supposed to be taking a nap. Irritation and anger, my heart grows dark. This is my time. My time to read. My time to get things done. If this Eldest Daughter of mine gets any louder, she’ll wake Baby Sister and then my time will be gone. I storm down the hall toward her bedroom and I begin to hear what she is doing.
“Take my life an’ leddit be”
Oh.
“Aw for you an’ for your glory”
Anger melts and irritation dissipates like a cold mist when the bright, warm sun appears. The words make me pause, cause my mind and heart to ponder. I wish she could always sing those words with such carefree abandon.
At two, she doesn’t really understand what this means. I only have a glimmering myself, but it is enough to make me wonder.
When I sing this song in worship, do I really mean it? Will I truly tell God that He can have my life for His glory? Am I able to tell God that He can give me cancer, take away my sight, “stretch out (His) hand and strike (my) flesh and bones”* if doing so will bring Him glory?
Perhaps.
After all, this life is “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”*. Of what importance is my body compared to my or anyone else’s soul?
“Take my life” I think this through a bit more.
What about my family? They are just as much a part of my life as my physical body. Am I able to tell God that He can have my family, do to them what He wills, even take them away from me if doing so will bring Him glory?
This is much harder.
Could I say “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised”*?
Frightening questions.
Yet why should I be afraid? Isn’t this the same God of Whom was said, “He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing”*? Isn’t this the same God Who “did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”*
Why, then, am I still frightened?
I know that God is always good, always loves and is always in control. Sometimes, though, I forget. I cling tightly to what is mine. I grasp my health, my time, my family. I forget that nothing is mine. I forget that all is gift.
And then I hear God speak.
I hear Him speak through a child of two.
Hear her sing? Hear her joy? She is joyful because she trusts. She trusts in this moment rather than fearing for all of her future moments. Trust Me in this moment and let Me care for the future.”
Aha. Yes.
Living in now. Leaving what is to come for the One Who already dwells there.
I sit on the floor in the hallway and listen to my daughter trust God with all of the joyful, careless abandon that is easiest for a child. Or for those who become like a child.
verses are from Job 2.5, James 4.14, Job 1.21, Zephaniah 3.17, Romans 8.32, NIV
by Elizabeth, Made Sacred
Leave a Comment
Amy Hunt says
…and He uses the children…
What a beautiful story of raw truth. I think we all struggle with truly giving all of our hearts, minds, souls and lives to Him, and that is why we need Him to show us His love for us each day and how we can trust Him with every speck of our stories. He’s asked me the same questions at times – would you give me your children? It’s always the hardest question, and always I struggle in my answer. Being honest is worship, too.
Rich blessings, Elizabeth, as you continue to see your Father through the child He asked you to help raise up…
Elizabeth says
I’m so grateful that we worship a God Who can handle the doubts and the hard questions!
Betty Draper says
this was a precious sweet post and i only wish i could have head her singing too. I am sure it’s as close as one can get to hearing the angels sings. Betty
I Live in an Antbed says
Glorious! There is a depth that He weaves into our souls as we mother children through little snippets just like this. What a precious word from the Spirit, spoken to your mama’s heart. 🙂
Holley Gerth says
So sweet. Childlike faith…it really is that simple (and that hard) isn’t it?
Greta says
So glad to have found your blog as www seem to be in the same season. Thanks for sharing!
sherri says
Thanks for the reminders!! love and blessings to you!!
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
Absolutely love this story. I learn SO MUCH from my children…their little voices & songs & conversations, when they don’t know I’m listening! Thanks so much for sharing what the Lord taught you thru her sweet song!
Calondra says
I absolutely love this story. Thanks for sharing. I had been studying the life of the author of that song and now reading this brings my heart closer to understanding why this song means so much to me. Very precious.
Elizabeth says
I’m intrigued that you are studying the life of that composer. Are you using a book of some kind?