Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Ultimate Birthday Card

I had an especially obvious God moment on my birthday.

I say it that way because I believe all our moments are gifts from God, and therefore, strictly speaking, they are all God moments. But some moments make you stop and say, "That was no coincidence. That was from God."

My birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so our family spent the morning at church. We had just finished the first song at the worship service, when Lou, standing to my right, makes one of those "oops, I forgot to tell you something" movements, and leans in to whisper in my ear. He tells me that my dear sister-in-law, Lene, had called to wish me happy birthday. She wanted me to know that she was praying for me today - specifically the words surrounding the song Be Thou My Vision.

No sooner were those words out of Lou's mouth, when the worship band began the music to the next song - Be Thou My Vision.

Both our eyes widened, and looks of "No way..." were exchanged as smiles crept across our faces. To say I felt loved and cared for by our infinite God in that moment is an understatement. It was pretty much the ultimate birthday card.

The words I heard sung that day and that my sister-in-law prayed for me?

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.


Powerful words. Powerful prayer. I pray they take root in my heart. And I am grateful to whom these words were prayed - and for the one who prayed them.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for sharing your "moment"...I just downloaded this song!

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