Jesus loves me, this
I know,
For the Bible tells
me so.
Little ones to Him
belong
They are weak, but
He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Jesus loves the
little children,
All the children of
the world.
Red and yellow,
black and white,
All are precious in
His sight.
Jesus loves the
little children of the world.
These
are the first words that come to mind when I think about learning to know God
and to love Him. They are songs that I’ve known since before I can remember
learning them—learned in Sabbath School classes, or taught to me by my mom. I
can’t think about celebrating Sabbath as a child without simultaneously hearing
music! We sang in our house, on the drive to church, in class, and during the
church service. These words, “Jesus Love Me” and “Jesus Loves the Little
Children” are deeply imprinted on my
psyche. These simple songs were trying to instruct my soul during times I was
anxious as a child, questioning (and rebelling) as a teen, and doubting as an
adult. When my not good enough feelings were chipping away at my confidence,
those simple phrases reached out again and again to remind me of the truth—even
when I struggled to accept it.
When
I was a teen, two hymns became a source of encouragement and peace to my soul.
Nearer still nearer,
close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my
Savior—so precious Thou art.
Fold me, oh fold me,
close to thy breast.
Shelter me safe in
that haven of rest.
When peace like a
river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like
sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot,
thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is
well, with my soul.
As
I sang these hymns in church and at concerts, the words were burned into my
memory—their message promising that Jesus knew my hurt and read my anxious
thoughts. My never-still-Type-A soul needed to know the recipe for true peace,
and these songs taught me the importance of drawing nearer and nearer to Jesus
and allowing Him to speak peace into my heart. To this day, these words are
reminders that I know by heart, that I can call on when my soul is troubled.
But
the dearest words of all are found in my favorite hymn, “In the Garden”.
I come to the garden
alone,
While the dew is
still on the roses,
And the voice I
hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God
discloses.
And He walks with me
and He talks with me
And He tells me I am
His own.
And the joy we
share, as we tarry there,
None other has ever
known!
I
can see that garden.
I
can hear the birds singing in the morning and smell the scent of the flowers as
the sun hits them.
I
can feel the dew on my bare feet.
And
I can hear Jesus calling my name.
His
voice is so filled with love and tenderness. He seeks me out, eager to connect
with me and to hear my thoughts and answer my questions.
He
knows me.
Sandi
with an “i”.
His
creation. His daughter. His choice.
And
He will never “un-choose” me. He will never stop loving me.
He speaks and the
sound of His voice
Is so sweet the
birds hush their singing.
And the melody that
He gave to me
Within my heart is
ringing.
Jesus
tells me to stop trying to be good enough, because He wants much
more for me than that! His daughter is so much better than just good
enough!
I
am loved. Jesus loves
me, this I know.
I
am unique. I am precious
in His sight.
I
am sheltered. Jesus is my
haven of rest.
I
am Peaceful. Whatever the
circumstances, Jesus is my peace.
I am His own.
This
is my song. All the other songs I learned throughout my life were just music
lessons leading to the beautiful ultimate chorus that Jesus was trying to teach
me. Layer upon layer, forming a harmony in my soul, those songs built upon each
other, finally reaching the crescendo of truth that is now evident.
I
will proudly wear my crown and sing His song!
I am a daughter of the Most High King!
