Like a child at home

This morning greeted us with bright cheerful sunshine, perfect for Easter Sunday and full of the promise of spring. We had a lovely church service today that was both powerful and peaceful. It was all about Christ, His resurrection, and His atonement. I especially enjoyed singing with the choir.

I joined our church choir about two years ago. Growing up I always thought I was terrible at singing, and always avoided it. But through the years I've come to peace with it, and have actually enjoyed singing hymns in the congregation. I still don't sound 'great' but I sing passably well, especially when there are others around me to blend in with. I've found that singing with the choir has been surprisingly rewarding.

Today we sang three songs. One that was particularly poignant was "My Shepherd Will Provide My Need," by Isaac Watts which is based on the 23rd Psalm. We were accompanied by a young oboist and flautist who played beautifully. These are the lyrics to this piece:

My Shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is His name.
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.

He brings my wand’ring spirit back,
When I forsake His ways.
And leads me for His mercy’s sake
In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death
Thy presence is my stay.
One word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread.
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days.
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.

There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come.
No more a stranger nor a guest,
But like a child at home.

I really fell in love with this piece as we learned during practice this last 3 weeks. I especially love the last stanza and the imagery it invokes; of being where you truly belong, loved and safe. Jesus offers us that love; when we come to Him we can feel like a child at home.