Love Lifted Me
One of my father’s favorite hymns was Love Lifted Me. Daddy loved music but he was shy and didn’t sing loud enough for anyone to hear him, except when he was rocking my babies.
We had wicker rocking chairs on our porch and I could open the kitchen window and hear him sing as he rocked. Without exception the song he always sang to them was Love Lifted Me.
Daddy worked harder than any man I have ever known and he didn’t sit still very often or very long, so for him to rock one of my children was special.
I don’t think I ever told him how much I appreciated his love for my children. He was so proud of them all, and he loved to tease Bill and me about our expanding brood. Daddy loved country music and when the song entitled “Two of kind working on a full house,” was first released he told me it was written about Bill and me.
Another one of my father’s passions was basketball. This week our twins will play in the regional tournament in a nearby city. This is a big deal for a small town and I can’t help but wishing that daddy was still alive to watch his grandson’s play.
My mother died in 1990 and daddy died 5 years later. I miss them, but their love continues to lift me and the lessons they taught me about faith and family are with me still.
Lyrics to
Love Lifted Me
- I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.- Refrain:
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me!
- Refrain:
- All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs. - Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
And at church…..always “The Lily of the Valley”…….
This has always been one of my favorite songs too. We sang it often at the Church I grew up in. I am sure your Dad knew how much you appreciated the time he spent with your kids even if the words were never spoken. All the best the boys (and you) this week!