Violin Concert

I went to a violin concert on Saturday in Knoxville, TN.  It starred Leah Abigail
Thelen.  Perhaps you have heard of her but if you haven't, you will.  Leah is my
charming, talented, brilliant, and beautiful granddaughter.   Leah is just six years
old and already starring in a major violin concert.  OK, It was about 20 students playing about one minute each but Leah was definitely the star.  I may have exaggerated a little as all the students were stars and it might have been just a recital but I came away thankful for a lot.

• I am thankful for the Leah's home that encourages her and her sister Molly to explore different activities to find their bent
• I am thankful for Leah's home that is full of music that expresses hearts full of joy and lives full of hope
• I am thankful for the promises of Psalm 42:8  "By day the LORD directs his at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life."

Leah

George Young understood songs in the night.  He was a carpenter, and a preacher of the gospel. In the late nineteenth century he labored in obscurity, serving small rural areas in the United States. Today, there is not even a reliable record of the dates of his birth and death.  Often his income was so small he had difficulty supporting his wife and family. Even so, he kept on diligently serving the Lord.

Finally, after a great deal of effort and years of sacrifice, the Young's were able to move into a small house they had built for themselves. All were delighted with the new place, but tragedy soon overtook them. While George was away holding meetings in another community, some ruffians who were hostile to the gospel he preached set fire to the Young’s home burning it to the ground.

In 1903, George Young published a hymn for which he wrote both words and music. It is a testimony to his faith in God, in spite of this severe trial. It depicts different kinds of circumstances and experiences we face in life, with a reminder that the Lord provides for us in them all. The opening stanza paints a lovely picture, reminiscent of the 23rd Psalm. But the author was well aware that not all of life is like that. The song’s refrain gives a more sobering view of life’s trials:

1. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
   God leads His dear children along.
   • Refrain:
     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.
2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
   God leads His dear children along.
3. Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
   God leads His dear children along.
4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
   God leads His dear children along.

Maybe you are in a night season today.  A time of struggle, sorrow, or hurt.  Remember, God gives the song and leads His dear children along.