All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
The temperature is dropping, the wind is howling around the corner of the house, and the snow is freezing into something very close to an iceberg. I need something to make me stop moaning about this seemingly endless winter, and how tired I am of bundling up every time I leave the house, (not that I really want to leave the house) and on and on. We’ve all commiserated with one another over the misery of the winter that just won’t let go. It’s like that guest who just doesn’t pick up on the cue that the party is over and it’s time to leave.
It’s been a little challenging to think of something positive this week, and I looked for some possibilities in the reference section of my Bible. However, the verses I found about endurance and perseverance were written to encourage people to be strong in their faith in the face of hardship and persecution — not on getting through an Iowa winter!
Then I paged through our copy of the Lutheran Book of Worship, and came across this sweet old hymn. When I taught Vacation Bible School a few decades ago, the day began with a short worship service, and “This Is My Father’s World” was our opening hymn. Whenever I sing it or just read the words, I can hear children’s voices and feel the warmth of a June day. The final stanza gives us a message to warm us in the cold and reassure us in our anxieties:
That, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world; Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring; God reigns, let the earth be glad!
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers