Digging Deeper

“I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously…He is my God, and I will praise Him…”  - Exodus 15:1-2

I’m eight years old sitting between my older brother and my mom.  We are asked to stand and lift our hearts in praise to our God.  Mom helps me find the page in the heavy hymnal and we wait as the organ introduces the song. The fingers and feet of the organist awaken the silent instrument as the music begins to pour from an army of various sized pipes. The melody echoes through the pews and in the hearts of the congregation.  I am part of something special…something much larger than myself. The song takes us back in time to St. Francis of Assisi in the year 1225, joining us with believers from long ago.  I struggle to read some of the bigger words, but my mom’s beautiful voice supports my stumbling with her strong faith.  She looks down at me and smiles, helps me find my place, and glances at the nursery window where my baby brother is being rocked to sleep.  My older brother holds his own hymnal.  He taps his foot to the music and pokes me gently with his elbow.

“All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice and with us sing.

Alleluia, Alleluia!  Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam.

O praise Him, O praise Him

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!”

Our oldest members close their eyes.  These words of praise our etched on their hearts. They are praising our Savior for His blessings, but also choosing to praise Him in the darkest times of their journey.  I look from one saint to another and pray my newborn faith will mature and be as strong as theirs when I am in my eighties.

“And all ye men of tender heart, Forgiving others, take your part.

O sing ye, Alleluia!  Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Amen.”

Bible Reading: Exodus 15 1-18

Dear Heavenly Father, turn my every thought into a prayer of praise to You.

Dianna L. Brisco