Psalm 100, Verses 1-3: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
I can’t attend church today because I am in quarantine for a COVID test due to another student’s exposure to the disease. It’s on these Sundays that I retreat to U-Tube for beautifully, uplifting musical performances. Being in the music allows me to be in the presence of God. Today, my soul and spirit were lifted by the talents of Kate Smith, Susan Boyle, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I pray that Americans will do the necessary health protocols to keep their families safe and all others they come into contact with. There is only one Kate Smith, and “God Bless America” always stirs a loving pride in me for this beautiful country, with the knowledge we are a great nation because of God’s love. He stands beside us and guides us through our lives. Whether it’s our mountains, our prairies, our plains, and our oceans, He has blessed our sweet home. Now it’s up to us, as a nation, to be thankful for what He has given us and to gratefully share what we have with the millions of people who are struggling just to survive in our nation and in the world. It is in the sharing and caring that we become what God wants us to be: a loving people.
Understanding the hard road Susan has traveled in search of her dream, I realize that dreams can be very powerful things when we allow them to guide us to be better, kinder people. In the past, hope was high, and life was so worth living. As God forgives us for our sins, so love continues to reign in all whose hearts belong to Him. As a child, I had no fears because life’s paths always led to good places, beautiful music, and loving people. Now, the tigers come at night to steal away my security and happiness. My husbands filled me with joy and wonder for a time until they, too, withered on the vine. I thought that Michael and I would live out our senior years together, but that love too, could not weather the storm of cancer. My dreams continue to guide me but in a different, solo direction with the light of God’s smile on my face. As the lyrics to “I Dreamed a Dream” state, my dreams help me to live a better life.
Listening to Josh and Andrea singing “The Prayer,” I pray that the Lord will watch over us and be our eyes in the troubled world we live in. When we are struggling with so many civil, health, and economic problems, I ask for His help to be a wise Christian. When we lose our way, as many of us have, I pray that He will gracefully lead us to a safer place. When night approaches and the stares shine dimly, I pray His light will be held in all of our hearts. As winter approaches and our days become gray, I pray for a faith that will keep us safe. I pray that our lives will be filled with love and that hope will lead us forward to help others. And like every child, I pray that we all find a place we can call home.
As I post this blog, the words of “Amazing Grace” whisper through my mind and remind me that the sweet voice of God saved a wretch like me as a teenager when my mother passed onto eternity. I was truly lost and blind without her love and council. I am strong with God by my side, and now, I can see a beautiful path to my eternal home. I know God has blessed America, has used my dreams as messages for my heart, and has heard my prayers and the prayers of those who love Him. May we all be thankful that He continues to hold us in the palms of His hands.
Anna Hartt
