Hearing a sermon the day before Memorial Day this year brought back some memories of many years ago for me (though I’m still only 23!) The sermon was centered around the theme of “good bye.”
You see Memorial Day this year, 5/27, was the date my great Aunt Hazel died 32 years ago. Remembering her was on my mind but it wasn’t until I was emailing the preacher to thank him for his inspiring words, that again brought tears to my eyes, did this one particular memory pop back into my head.
My Aunt Hazel, who was my mom’s mother’s sister, always had a special place in my heart, along with that grandma as I was growing up. They ended up living together as their spouses had predeceased them both. We would go over to my grandma’s house for dinner every Sunday for several years.
Aunt Hazel lived to be 92 years old, her mind was still sharp as a tack, she loved the Lord and had great faith.
My sister, Aunt Hazel and me
As you probably know I am not very musical at all but two songs are etched in my memory that I would play some of, one finger at a time, on her very small plug in organ.
One of the songs was entitled You Light Up My Life; if I recall correctly I probably could only play a bit of that one.
The other one that I recall is Why Me by Kris Kristofferson. That one is more memorable for me as I believe I could play more of it and because I really enjoyed the lyrics of the song.
I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to the song by clicking here.
Here are the lyrics in case you want to read them:
WHY ME
Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you’ve shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I’ve need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul’s in your hand.
Tell me Lord, if you think there’s a way
I can try to repay
All I’ve taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I’ve been through myself
On my way back to you.
Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I’ve need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul’s in your hand.
Songwriters: Kris Kristofferson
Why Me lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
It is a fairly short, simple song but I can still remember how meaningful the lyrics were to me even as a teen back then.
Let’s think about the truth of the song ~~
Referencing the first stanza:
What have we ever done to deserve any of the pleasures God has given us?
What have we ever done to make us worthy to love God?
What have we ever done to be a recipient of God’s kindness?
Nothing WE can ever do or say makes us deserving of God’s goodness!
It is all a result of God’s grace and mercy to us in sending Jesus to die for us!!
What truth is the second stanza sharing with us?
Admitting that so often we waste an opportunity.
We need to put our soul in Jesus’ hand.
From the third stanza:
Is there any way we can repay the Lord for all we’ve taken from him?
Yes!
How?
What our experiences have taught us as we come back to Him!
This week may I encourage you to keep the lyrics and meaning of this song forefront in your heart and mind.
Praise and thank the Lord for all the pleasures in your life~
Thank Him for loving you, His kindness to you, His dying for you~
Know that you are a brother/sister to Jesus~a Child of God~
Remember how much you need Jesus in your life~
Place your soul in Jesus’ hand~
How can you share your journey to help another find their way to Jesus?
How can you share your gifts and talents with others to help them see Jesus?
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. –Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. –Psalm 16:5 (GNT)
Live right, and you will eat from the life-giving tree. And if you act wisely, others will follow. –Proverbs 11:30 (CEV)
Thank you Christine!!!! God Bless
Many thanks to you, Lorie, for faithfully reading and the blessing~ I hope to see you in person again one day soon! Be blessed~
Hi Christine, another wonderful reflection for me. I’m so thankful for all that I am, all that I see and hear……..but I don’t have to wonder why I have all of these gifts. I know how generous God has been with me.
Hello, Jeff~I am grateful to know this reflection touched you. Thank you for faithfully reading and for sharing. I, too, am so thankful to God for His goodness and generosity! We are so blessed. Blessings to you and your family!