This was the only time when she belong to herself alone...Sometimes she felt that these few moments kept her sane. Her family thought that she lay down on her bed and rested but she did not always do this. Sometimes she prayed, sometimes she read a little, but more often she sat quite still with her lands lying in her lap and her eyes closed. Sometimes she would murmur to herself as she sat, " Underneath you are the everlasting arms, " and then she would feel her spirit sinking down, and down through depths of tranquil light, that grew cooler and sweeter the further she sank, until she felt herself resting serenely against something, drawing in strength and peace through every fibre of her being. This lovely experience did not come to her always.
...life without it was like a desert with out wells.
Island Magic
Elizabeth Goudge
As I read this passage I could not help but remember this old precious hymn. Sometimes the old hymns can really speak to my heart. Words of wisdom written by believers from another age, timeless words of wisdom that speak to me from the past, and hit the mark right here, right now.
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,Leaning on the everlasting arms;What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,Leaning on the everlasting arms;Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,Leaning on the everlasting arms?I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,Leaning on the everlasting arms.
(click on the title if you want to hear the music)
11 comments:
It's interesting how the old hym captures the theme.....It's about God.....and all I do is "lean". Nice post. Thanks for joining in the fun tonight. We enjoyed having everyone over.
Yea! We had a hymn night last Sunday night at church. We actually used those dusty hymnals and sang some real meaty worship songs. Everyone was participating. Thanks for remembering our forgotten heritage, hymnity. Pappy
What a sweet passage from the book...must find that author.
Juxtaposed with the hymn...perfect!
Strider: I love the focus on God in the old hymns too!
Pappy: I would probably have bawled through the whole hymn night...I really do miss the old hymns, especially the words and their meaning
I've been thinking about the peace that comes from leaning on His everlasting arms today also! A beautiful hymn...and a good reminder to put our focus on Him.
Oh I do love that old hymn....I love it when we sing it in church and we still do now and then...
EG is so deft at including such wonderful passages in her writing....that's why I love her book so, and read them over and over.
I, too, miss the old hymns and the beautiful old music that goes with them....sigh. It's such a treat at Christmas and Easter when many of them are sung once again in our church. I like the modern worship music too, but we need both!
Thank you for this beautiful hymn. Music is very nice. I love it.
God bless you and your family!
Isn't she a wonderful writer, her faith coming through no matter what she writes.
I really needed to read this today. I'm going to listen to the music. Bless you for posting this!!
I'm so glad that I stopped by today and read this. What a beautiful hymn. Reminds me of going to the little church with my Granny. They could raise the roof with their preaching.
I really needed this today........
God Bless you
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