who what where when why wednesday.

q:

what's your favorite hymn/spirit inviting song?

a:

be still, my soul.

i fell hard for this song a couple years ago in a letter my grandpa wrote me

{grandpa george writes his children and grandchildren once a month - thoughts on the church, tales of family history, lessons of greek mythology, and always a healthy dose of social commentary}

i was feeling a fine combination of pain from the trials and hardship of others around me - physical trials, mostly.

every sentence is comforting
and reminds us that we're not in this alone
if we just hold on for just a little while longer
{even though it's preettttty hard sometimes}
whatever the reward may be... it will be worth it in the end

and it helps every.single.time.

... like the sunday i dedicated my fast to stupid cancer....
we sang this song {and i may have teared up a little...}

be still, my soul: the lord is on thy side
with patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
leave to thy god to order and provide;
in ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav'nly friend
thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

be still, my soul: thy god doth undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.
thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright as last.
be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
his voice who ruled them as he dewlt below.

be still, my soul: the hour is hast'ning on
when we shall be forever with the lord,
when disappointment, greif, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.