The last Saturday of September was the annual Dead Boring Concert. As usual, a lot of talent was displayed as children from the various families played instruments, recited poetry they had written, or performed skits. Our family always sings, and this year was no exception. The first song they sang was, “My Ways Are Not Your Ways”.
Oft the way to the goal seems so weary and long,
Trials almost take away my song;
Then we sigh and we cry and we ask,
‘Father why does this life my wishes all deny?’
Chorus:
My ways, my child, are not your ways,
My thoughts are higher than thine.
Let me lead you each step of this long weary day,
Let me clasp thy trembling hand in mine.
It is my heart’s desire to do His blessed will,
And to serve my Master every day;
But when things all go wrong and the world doubts me still,
Then, oh Lord, I cannot understand.
So I’ll leave all to Him, He has promised to share
All my load and ev’ry care to bear.
There is joy in my heart and on my lips a song,
Even tho’, Lord, I don’t understand.
After singing that song, the boys recited the poem, “God Hath Not Promised”. Interestingly, a number of years ago Gayle had the children in our church memorize that poem. The next week, Esther had bad seizures which nearly took her life. Now, our children recited it in public–just before another severe trial.
God hath not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.
The last song was “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”.
Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness to see
There’s a light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
His words shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
These videos are quite special to us now; they are the last recording of Seth before he died about a week and a half after the concert. I do apologize for the shakiness. I was taking care of the two youngest and asked a friend to take the video; she didn’t have a tripod.
Pretty special! I’m crying as I listen, thinking of the hole in that back row now…
Of you missing your oldest son even as my firstborn is “helping” me type.
Thank you for sharing. -R
I struggled to watch these. Such a bittersweet feeling. I’m sure its a priceless memory!! Thank you for sharing it with us.