Games. An amusement or pastime.
The NY Times has a few games which have quickly become favorites for our family. Recently while playing the Connections game, two of the connections were of a biblical nature. One category was books of the Bible, while the other was origins but contained the word Genesis (also a biblical book). I never did make the other two connections.
Jokingly I commented to my family members that my morning time had helped me, then also texted – “Goes to show, ‘all the way my Savior leads me’. And now I’ll be humming this all day.”
Several hours later, there I was, still humming the song. Pulling up the lyrics, I needed to read the words slowly, letting them fall on my soul much like a comforting blanket.
“All the way my Savior leads me What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His faithful mercies? Who through life has been my guide Heavenly peace, divinest comfort Ere by faith in Him to dwell For I know whate’er fall me Jesus doeth all things well.”
Guide – my one word for 2023. It is defined as “to assist (a person) to travel through, or reach a destination in, an unfamiliar area, as by accompanying or giving directions to the person” (dictionary.com).
The words, “in an unfamiliar area” have my attention now. Surely this is where we find ourselves in this moment of time. Political contentions, global tensions, wars, Israel under attack, disunity, misinformation, and confusion surround us.
And yet, one truth brings me comfort and assurance today:Â “Can I doubt His faithful mercies? Who through life has been my guide.”
My Bible defines “guide” as “advisor; director” (The New Scofield Bible).
If He is the One directing our paths, and He is, then He will surely advise us in the paths we should go.
I continue reading the lyrics to the song, which I am still humming:
“All of the way my Savior leads me And He cheers each winding path I tread Gives me strength for every trial And He feeds me with the living bread.”
The words “the living bread” sink in further. Yesterday I baked my first loaf of bread for this season. It was something I began doing when faced with the unfamiliar area as the pandemic unfolded a few years back.
There was something therapeutic and soothing about the process. Feeling the heaviness of the world yesterday, baking bread seemed like what I needed to do.
In these days of uncertainties and conflict, may we turn to the Lord each day for guidance, assurance, and comfort.
He will sustain us with the living bread,
His Word,
each day as come to His table.
“For this is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide to the end.” (Psalm 48:14)
“And all the way my Savior leads me Oh, the fullness of His love Perfect rest in me is promised In my Father’s house above When my spirit clothed immortal Wings it’s flight through the realms of the day This my song through endless ages Jesus led me all the way.”
(from “All the Way My Savior Leads Me by Rich Mullins)
In her “Mellow September Reflections” HERE , Linda Stoll is sure to bring beauty for the soul in her photos and words she shares. Her posts often remind me of the many wonderful ways God shows up in the ordinary and familiar parts of our lives.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Alice Walker from Pixabay
This must be a theme this morning. I turned on the radio as I made my first cup of decaf coffee and took my morning medicines, and the song “God Leads His Dear Children Along” came on:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
And right after that, the station played “Trust and Obey.” What an apt response!
So grateful for his leading!
What a beautiful hymn and your post about it is so thoughtful and moving. We definitely need the Lord’s guidance more now than ever in this uncertain world
So much timely truth and comfort here, Joanne. I love those unexpected meetings with our words of the year, don’t you? And I feel the same way about bread baking. 🙂
All the way, without a gap, all the way home He leads me.
Beautiful post, Joanne. This hymn is one of my very favorite hymns, the words always bring me comfort in times of heaviness and uncertainty. Love the thought of baking bread and the ‘connection” you made there. I have baked bread for years and truly enjoyed the process as well!
A beautiful reminder of God’s loving guidance Joanne.
And your bread looks amazing!
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
thanks for the mention, Joanne. i’d love to come over for a slice or two of bread and coffee with you. too bad we don’t live a bit closer …
He is so kind to guide us, Joanne. And your first loaf of bread looks delicious!
Always enjoy your posts…but can I just say how challenging that Connections game is? I look forward to working through all the different games each morning…but the Connections – well, that one usually stumps me every time!! Kudos to you:)
Those traditional hymns carry messages of God’s faithfulness, trustworthiness, and His great love for us. That’s a familar tune for us at my church. Thank you for featuring this beautiful hymn in your blog and reminding us how blessed we are.
I’m humming the song in my head now. 🙂 Jeff and I attempt the Connections puzzle each night too. I’ve really enjoyed it! It challenges me more than some of the other games. We got the books of the Bible one too! It’s always nice when they throw in an easy category. 🙂
Joanne, love all the ways Jesus leads us. Thanks for these game recommendations and I would love to see your bread recipe.
I will email a photo of the recipe to you as I cannot figure out how to post it into this comment space.
I haven’t heard that hymn in a long time but what comforting words it contains. It’s so good to know that God is still in control leading and guiding me. And not just me but the affairs of the whole world and all of history. So while the events and contentions of the age in which we live can be unsettling, even heartbreaking, we can trust that He knows the end for the beginning. And that He will use it all for His glory and purposes.
Guide is a neat word for you. Love how you reflect on it also!
I will likely be humming “All the Way” for quite some time. I like your choice of word for this year.