My Jesus I Love Thee...

If you know David and I then you know that we absolutely love hymns. The rich truths found in so many hymns have touched our hearts through beautiful times of joy, the darkest hours and our greatest losses. I catch myself singing hymns often especially when there are big changes or trials in our life. I remember when David asked me to be his girlfriend on November 1, 2003 (thanks to Jamie, otherwise it would have been Halloween) God brought a song to my mind - I sang it for weeks.

"The Romans Doxology" by Jim Elliott -

Oh, the depth of the riches, the wisdom of God:
How unsearchable are His ways.
How profound are his judgments, so high above our thoughts,
And His pathways no man can trace.
REFRAIN
For from Him and through Him, And to Him are all things!
To Him be glory forevermore! To Him be glory forever!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Oh, the depth of the riches, the wisdom of God:
How magnificent are His ways.
Who has been His advisor and who has counseled Him,
All He gives us who can repay?
REFRAIN
Oh the depths of the riches, the wisdom of God:
How immeasurable is His grace!
How unfailing His kindness, so far removed His wrath,
And His mercies are new each day!

Then when he asked me to be his wife this wonderful tune filled my mind again. When I was in Samoa I constantly sang "Be Thou My Vision". There were countless hymns we incorporated into our wedding ceremony and reception. One song I particularly loved at that time was "Before The Throne" and "For the Glory of Your Name" by Michelle Tumes. Each of these great hymns and songs has a place in my mind and brings my attention to my Savior.

One thing I love about the church showers the ladies throw for each other at our church is that we get to sing our favorite hymn or praise song. For Evelyn's shower I chose "My Jesus I Love Thee". It has since become "her" hymn...I sing it to her when she is sad...I sing it to her when she is happy...and we both sing it to her at night after we read and pray with her. I picked this one for her because of the way God brought her to us, and how it has drawn my heart to love Him more. Through all the trials and now the great joy of having her in our family!

I say "her" hymn because of some great thoughts I saw on one of my favorite blogs - Girl Talk. Another post was Sing to Your Kids where they speak of Joni Erickson Tada and her advice for choosing "life hymns" for your children. This touched my heart in so many ways because of how much I love to sing especially of God's truths. I sincerely hope I am able to pass that on to my little Evelyn Kate.

Shortly after reading these blog posts I listened to a couple very encouraging messages on the Focus on the Family website. The first was called Teaching Kids Through Hymns part 1 and the other was the second part of this series. Both incorporate insight from Joni Erickson Tada.  After listening to this series I purchased What's it All About? in mp3 format off of amazon. I also purchased a few other albums of hymns. Since then this wonderful music has filled our van and our home. I hope to also purchase Hymns for a Kid's Heart, Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart, and Passion Hymns for a Kid's Heart. All are put together by Joni and her friends.

Gramma G also purchased some wonderful CDs that we listen to often - Bless my Little Girl, Praise Baby - My Father's World and Praise Baby - Sleepytime Lullabies. All of which will calm Evelyn when she is sleepy or upset. We often will put her down to "Bless My Little Girl".

I cannot wait to explain the great truths found in the wonderful hymns and songs we sing both at church and at home with Evie. Especially the truths found in "her" hymn. I look forward to telling her God's story of redemption, and how He brought her to us. I feel this hymn will be a great foundation for her to treasure in her little heart as she grows into a beautiful woman. That is my prayer...would you join me? I encourage you also to treasure these truths in your hearts!

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.