Ironing Board Songs

On Sunday, the choir sung a favorite hymn of mine. It's one of the songs I used to sing to myself while working as a house manager. A memory of ironing napkins in the basement laundry accompanies the lyrics whenever I chance to hear them.

I love that these songs are in my head. I hope that if I grow old and forgetful, these songs will stay with me. Here are a smattering of lyrics that renew me, and maybe you too...

"Be still my soul, the Lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to your God to order and provide. In every change, he faithful will remain.


Your God does undertake to guide the future as he has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know his voice..."

"Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held him there, until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished."

"What language may I borrow, to thank thee, dearest friend?

O make me yours forever, and should I fainting be-- Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for thee."

"No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the power of Christ in me.

 No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand. 'Til he returns or calls me home, here in the love of Christ I stand.

"Why lies he in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding? For sinners here, the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you.

All hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the Son of Mary.

"Holy Holy Holy, All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns. Blessed Trinity!

"O the deep, deep Love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

"He breaks the power of canceled sin. He sets the prisoner free. His blood can make the foulest clean.

His blood availed for me.

"Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has shed his own blood for my soul.

"Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, 
the clouds be rolled back as a  

scroll.  
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend. 

It is well with my soul." 

I guess I'm showing a penchant for older, minor key hymns. But the words make the gospel so fresh to me. They remind me I am forgiven, protected, secured, loved and pursued --all beyond condition and circumstance. He is a wonderful God who offers himself to us. There are none like Him.

I was glad to be reminded again.