By JANET HART LEONARD
From the Heart
I can name that hymn in five notes.
Actually, it takes a few notes more than five.
Perhaps it was all those years as the church organist/pianist that have the melody engrained in my head. But oh, when my heart hears the words!
Give me a hymn to sing and my heart sings, too. There is something truly sacred about a hymn. It is medicine for a hurting soul.
So, I’ll cherish the “Old Rugged Cross”
“Because He Lives” … I can face tomorrow.
Mercy there was great and grace was free … “At Calvary”
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to thee … “How great thou art”
It’s never more than at Easter when the hymns seem so sacred, when they soothe my soul and calm my anxious heart.
I am reminded of the despair and darkness of Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified. Hope was nailed to the cross. The skies went dark. What now? Jesus’ death changed everything.
The next day had to consume the believers with questions and more fear and doubt. Grief beyond description.
(I’ve had a few days after devastation to know how that feels. My body could not comprehend the pain. I was overwhelmed. I was in shock.)
BUT …
Then came the morning of the third day. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was EMPTY.
And the world would never be the same. There would always be hope. Jesus’ resurrection changed everything.
In my darkest hours. In my times of despair. When nothing made sense. I had so many questions.
But then …
I was reminded in the scriptures. If that wasn’t enough, I would listen to a hymn.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And the cross? Well, it is still making a difference for me.
Are you overwhelmed with hurt? Are you stuck in the “what now”? Are you fearing the unknown future?
May you, this Easter, feel the hope and blessings from the empty tomb.
Yes, just a few notes and be reminded … “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.”