How Sweet the Sound

A few weeks ago, I was given the piano I grew up playing. Since I haven't played for the last eight years, I've spent the last few weeks re-connecting to this beauty. I want to learn to play hymns and even teach my (future) children the basics. I did not have a hymnal so about two weeks ago I printed off two hymns from the web: Amazing Grace and I Need the Every Hour.

Yesterday, around 3:45 my heart began to feel anxious. It was an uneasy feeling. Justin and I were going to go to his parents later to celebrate Christmas and I thought maybe I had forgotten a gift for someone. I double checked. All was well. My heart began to race....

I did the only thing I new to do to help relieve an anxious heart. I read through scripture:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I then sat down at my piano and began playing and singing Amazing Grace and this racing heart began to slow......

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Dad texts to "please call him." Granddad has been living with Alzheimer's for 10 years...10 years of dangers, toils, and snares....

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

I return the call...in His kindness the Lord has healed Granddad, his chains are gone...oppression has ceased.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

I wonder how free Granddad must feel at that exact moment...healed in Jesus's arms. I am humbled in the death, reflecting on every good thing the Lord has done for the sinner's salvation: creation, incarnation, death, resurrection. It's all good and worthy of praise....even in the loss of a loved one....especially in the loss of a loved one.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Now more than ever, I understand the scripture He has set eternity in the hearts of men.
I look forward to once again playing dominoes with Granddad and "helping" him work the module builder if perhaps there is cotton to be stripped in heaven.