I spent this cold weekend peacefully working on this puzzle that my sister-in-law Katie gave me for Christmas. I think right now many of us would give up many of the comforts of our modern society to dwell in such an idyllic small town as depicted in this painted panoramic puzzle. This scene reminds me so much of Walnut Grove from the Little House on the Prairie show. Those old episodes that I grew up watching have been such a joy to share with my girls this past year in the midst of current sketchy programing options.
On Sunday we sang the old Irish hymn, Be Thou My Vision to end our worship service, socially distanced outside in family groups – because that is how we currently do things. In the back of my mind I could hear this tune with bagpipes and strings as a memory of my father’s love of Celtic music he used to play in the evenings at home. But then it was the words of this song that drew me in and caught my attention. It was personally the perfect bridge between 2020 and 2021. My word of the year for 2020 was Vision. I wanted to see things as God sees them and not as my own limited sight. My thoughts were in the future and what could be, not just stuck in the now. As I move into 2021 the word that has been calling my attention is Dwell. I want the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to dwell within me and guide my thoughts and actions more than ever. I want peace to dwell in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in this year. I hope to share more thoughts on that word later.
I will leave you with the words of the hymn as a comfort to begin your week…
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
By Eleanor Hull
As I was finishing the puzzle last night, I was skipping around on Youtube listening to ALL the versions of this song. Do you have a favorite version of this classic hymn?
