Only Me, on My Knees...

As I was posting items to Etsy, I was listening to random youtube music videos, when the playlist began to play "Holy" by Nichole Nordeman from the WOW 2003 Hits.  Can you believe how long ago that was?  I can't, I truly can't.  

Her voice brought so many memories flooding back, I remember sitting staring out my bedroom window, the pink flowered wallpaper contrasted the deep green foliage of the beautiful wild garden below.  I contemplating the lyrics, appreciating her perspective.

Today, I was arrested by one line "and all you wanted - only me, on my knees..."  she said "singing", I thought "praying".   Lost on the rabbit trails of my mind, I missed the remainder of the song to simply re-hear "somehow, all that matters now is ... you... and all you ever wanted, only me on my knees."

I realized that is what He wants.  He wants us to petition Him, to ask of Him, to kneel before Him in thanksgiving.  Do we really take prayer seriously?  How easy it is to forget!

Sweet hour of prayer!...That calls me from a world of care,

...In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief..

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare...with such I hasten to the place

Where God my Savior shows His face....And since He bids me seek His face,

...I’ll cast on Him my every care,

Untill,...I view my home and take my flight...And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Let this my motto be

Lord, help me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray

My prayer shall be for—Others.

Refrain

Others, Lord, yes others,

Let this my motto be,

Help me to live for others,

That I may live like Thee.

Help me in all the work I do

To ever be sincere and true

And know that all I’d do for You

Must needs be done for—Others.

Refrain

Let ?Self? be crucified and slain

And buried deep: and all in vain

May efforts be to rise again,

Unless to live for—Others.

Refrain

And when my work on earth is done,

And my new work in Heav’n’s begun,

May I forget the crown I’ve won,

While thinking still of—Others.

Refrain

As children, we used to lay in bed listening to Tennessee Erie Ford sing hymns, this was one of the hymns. We listened to the same cassette night after night, fell to sleep listening to the tape, and again for Sunday afternoon nap. He had such a rich deep voice, soothing, clear, and comforting. The tape is still our favorite, even after 20 years, whenever one of us siblings is in the dumps, you'll hear that one singing "Tennesse Erie Ford".

Looking back, I believe our thoughts and standard for life was greatly affected by the music we listened to. Today, I was feeling pointless - after all what use am I? I don't have a clear purpose or goal mapped out in front of me. I can't say "I'm getting ready for the mission field, Lord Willing, in the next year or two." I can't say "I'm striving to raise my children for the Lord, oh that they'll be saved at a young age!" I can't even say "Yes, I am so excited, we'll be starting life together, I pray I will be a wife of virtue." What can I say?

At this point, I think I wasn't so much melancoly or sad -- just confused. Then into my mind streamed these lovely words. "Lord, help me live from day to day...Let this my motto be...That I may live like Thee." The truth dawned on me. If only in my life, I can only say that my goal is to live like Him, then that is all that matters. It doesn't matter whether you fit into the previous categories: a prayerful missionary, a careful mother, or a helpful wife. It matters that you live for Him, in whatever capacity He gives you.

Lord, help me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray

My prayer shall be for—Others.

Let this my motto be.

If you want to hear what the tune sounds like, here is the link http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/t/h/others.htm, and I found Tennesee Ernie Ford singing it online http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X82jlo9ngOE :)