Hymn for the Week

Late again...I'm sorry. Church and two concerts to attend yesterday interfered with my posting plans (though I was going to post a couple of different times, honestly.) This morning Anna, Rebecca and I had violin lessons and this afternoon has been more-or-less devoted to cleaning house--my excuses for waiting to post this till now.

Excuses over with, Mom has been gone for nearly a week now and is expected home tonight. It'll be good to have her back. Living History Day last Friday went quite well, though it was a bit chilly. It was one of those springtime sunny, windy days that are lovely if you're in the sun wearing a jacket but not so nice in the shade in a 3/4 sleeved costume...oh well. We really did have fun, I got an excuse to wear my cloak, and the weather warmed up in the afternoon. I will have to see about posting some pictures.

As for the hymn for this week, we'll take Shannon's suggestion and memorize If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee. It's a beautiful old song that I remember from Hymnology days but had forgotten about. Thanks for reminding me, Shannon. Here is the Cyber Hymnal link. The first set of lyrics that appear are modernized from the original translation. I personally prefer the older English version, which I've pasted below. Don't know yet how many of these verses I will memorize, but they're really good.

And with that, I ought to go see about something for dinner. It's between burritos, (currently frozen) Sloppy Joes, and some form of pasta. The meal hour approaches and I ought to come to some sort of a decision...till later, then!

If thou but suffer God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trust in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee
These never ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

Be patient and await His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whatever thy Father’s pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost want are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

God knows full well when time of gladness
Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness
And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.

Nor think amid the fiery trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring
And set a bound to everything.

All are alike before the Highest:
’Tis easy for our God, We know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word: though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.