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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A Mighty Fortress

After tearing up during Sunday's music, I decided to add hymns to my daily quiet time. This morning I dug out my faithful Worship & Service Hymnal (anyone out there of an age to remember and appreciate that volume?) and started with the first song: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

Luther was probably talking about the divisions and persecution brought on his followers during the reformation, but it still applies:
Let goods and kindred go; this mortal life also. The body they may kill. His truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.

I thought about those wonderful porcelain dolls that Jolene had given away in the months before her death. Mom and I loved looking for dark-haired, brown-eyed dolls that resembled Jolene. I can still picture some of the dolls from her collection: Natty Gunn, Anastasia, Alabama, Lady Bug, Guadalupe, Arwen. I want at least one of them, a physical reminder of precious memories. I expect I’ll revisit the subject of material possessions this weekend, when Jaran is in Denver helping us sort through Jolene’s things. Do I have the strength to let her “goods” go?

The hymn affirms that Jolene is with God, in His eternal kingdom. God has not changed. Jolene’s suicide does not alter her choice, made as a young child, to come to God the Father through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

Footnote: At work yesterday, I checked out my perpetual calendar. The page still read March 17th. For the past five weeks, time stood still. I flipped the page to April 21st, a small but symbolic step forward into the rest of my life.

3 comments:

Jeannelle said...

"A Mighty Fortress" has been one of my favorite hymns since I was a child. The words and tune seem bold and confident, even in the face of suffering and grief. May it continue to be a comfort to you.

OpaHmar said...

Hi can you please tell me what is hymn #259 on Worship & Service Hymnal. I was looking for this all over the net with no luck. Thanks a lot!

Darlene Franklin said...

I would gladly tell you what hymn #259 in the Worship & Service hymnal but alas, it is packed away. I am moving in a couple of weeks. Sorry!