Yes, Jesus Loves Me

Have you ever really paid the attention to the words of the song that most any child in Sunday School can sing by heart..."Jesus Loves Me"?  Sure, you know it, at least the first verse...but have you really ever stopped to think about the rest?  Me neither...not until last night...when one of the sweetest ladies at our church requested it as a favorite hymn.  There have been several times since my grandmother's death that I have heard this song and remembered her...But before we get into that, read the following carefully...

Jesus loves me—this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to him belong,—

They are weak, but he is strong.

Jesus loves me—loves me still,

Though I'm very weak and ill;

From his shining throne on high,

Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me—he will stay,

Close beside me all the way.

Then his little child will take,

Up to heaven for his dear sake

When we said goodbye to my Grandma she had left in her final 'lesson plan' for a particular preacher to speak at her service.  He was the last that day to speak, and I thought he was a bit odd when he burst into song...the very song above.  Maybe he explained that day why he chose to sing it...maybe he didn't...sometimes things from that time just run together.  The first time after the service I heard the song I had such a faint memory of this pastor singing it I had to verify with my mom that it actually happened.  So...my 'light bulb' moment was when I realized last night that, although this song is generally taught to small children, it goes so much deeper...It follows us all the days of our lives, until we are ready to enter His Kingdom, for those of us who are His children. Until we are 'weak and ill'.  

Obviously when I post entries like this one thing is on my mind...and I have desperately been missing my Grandma lately.  There are so many things I want to talk to her about...So many things I want to share with her...advice I still need...I want to tell her how right she was when she looked me in the eyes over and over again and said God had great plans for me.  She would be so proud of me for surviving school year number 8, which has by far been the most challenging.  She was so right about being patient for the one God hand picked for me.  I'm so glad that she got to know Jason before we had to say goodbye.  She would be so excited for me and Jason and our upcoming trip to Alaska.  She was always up for an adventure, and would want to be first on the list to see every picture and hear every detail.  

If you are one of my faithful readers you know that Grandma's last words to me were to be happy - I can assure you Grandma, I am happier than even I could imagine.