A Tender Moment Gone Awry…

My kids and I were sharing a sweet, tender moment at bed-time tonight. I stroked each child’s hair, and began singing, “Hush, little baby, don’t say a word. Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird…” In an instant, I was taken back… My mind flashed back to different moments of rocking each sweet baby to sleep… So tonight, I paused my song to tell the kids about how I used to rock each of them as babies and sing that same lullaby…

Then, Kerry suddenly pipes up and says, “Yeah, and we used to pee on you too! It was gross!”

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**Little Kerry always knows just what to say–gotta love that boy!

Trading My Sorrows

I guess if you’ve read even a few of my latest posts, you already know that music has played an important role in my life. I started singing solos in church at the age of 8, and I’ve sung duets with my dad (off and on) ever since. As a teenager, I also sang with an amateur group for a while, and there were a few other singing opportunities thereafter, but I won’t bore you with any more details…

However, I’ve come to realize that lately, not only do I not sing in public much anymore, but I don’t even sing much around the house like I used to. (I do plan to get back to this part of my life and to involve my kids). Even though I don’t always sing out-loud anymore, I often have a song in my heart. The words and music to all types of songs come to my mind and heart throughout the day and bring me such comfort and peace. It’s funny to me how the words to so many songs mean so much more to me as I get older…

My kids sang “Trading My Sorrows” with their youth group at church this past Sunday. I absolutely love this song! It too reminds me of my aunt Teresa–(many things do lately). Have I mentioned that Teresa started singing in a Gospel group at the age of 13?! She had such a powerful, beautiful, clear voice! My aunt loved to sing songs of praise to the Lord! When I hear the words of the song below, I think of how she must be singing, shouting, praising, and celebrating! I know she has certainly traded her sorrows, sickness, and pain! I know too that her family is “pressed but not crushed;…not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed!” What a testimony–what a witness–what a faith–what a hope!!

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By: Darrell Evans

I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

We say yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord, amen

I am pressed but not crushed
persecuted, but not abandoned
struck down, but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure
and His joy will be my strength

though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning.

I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

We say yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord, amen (2x)

I am pressed but not crushed
persecuted, but not abandoned
struck down, but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure
and His joy is going to be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning.

I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord (2x)

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Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. —Ephesians 5:19

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Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
—1 Chronicles 16:9

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**Note: You can listen to this song here.

Precious Lord Take My Hand

The following song has come to my mind so, so many times over the past two months. At first I tried to ignore it and push it out of my mind, but it just keeps coming back. You see, I guess songs help me face my feelings and deal with them, and sometimes I may try to avoid this. Oh, but to no avail really, the songs always find me… I suppose that’s good though, because you can’t get past what you don’t face, huh?

This past Sunday, during Sunday School, we were discussing pain, trials, grief, etc. A member of the class mentioned the following song and shared a little about the writer–Tom Dorsey–and his life. Mr. Dorsey received this song from God during a terrible time of grief and loss. (Many of the really great gospel songs originated this way–a writer expressing, facing, and dealing with the pain of grief and loss).

To learn more about the story behind the song, you may visit here.

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Precious Lord Take My Hand

By: Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

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**To listen to this song, as performed by Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, you may click here. (There are also different videos of several artists performing this song).

**Above picture is courtesy of Flickr.

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**Update: (Tues., July 22nd, 2008) I’ve corrected the above lyrics per comment below (one line of the chorus was incorrect). I found the correct lyrics and a little more info. about the author here.