Be Thou My Vision

Back when I couldn't find the words to pray I would sing. Yes, you heard me. I, Mary Kendall Land, would sing. I like to believe its always a joyful noise to The Lord, no matter how great the noise. 

Sometimes there just weren't words to pray. I just hurt too much to say anything so I sang. I sang my favorite hymn. The hymn the congregation sang at my wedding. Be Thou My Vision. And as much as those words spoke to me before the past few years, they speak to me even more now. 

I haven't talked much about my friend, Lauren, but she is without a doubt my best friend. She is the friend that will still be there no matter what. The Lord knew what he was doing when Lauren gave me the tour of Lamar School the year my family moved there. We just clicked. She is the friend I have been through everything with. Literally everything. Heartbreak, first kisses, deaths, marriage, and now babies (Lauren not me).  I'm going to be an aunt. Lauren is an only child so I feel like I am first in line to be an aunt on Lauren's side of the family. Our friendship has been through ups and downs just as with all relationships. But at the end of everything I know Lauren is the person I can count on for anything. She texted me tonight to say she was thinking of me. That text came at the perfect time. I needed encouragement and there she was. Lauren's mother passed away earlier this year. And do you know why hymn was sung at Mrs. Charlotte's funeral? Be Thou My Vision. 

So now when I pray I still sing that hymn sometimes. And I think of my life and the turns it has taken but I also think of Lauren and Mrs. Charlotte and Mr. Wayne and the turns their lives have taken. And I love them all a little more. Because "whatever befall, still be my vision, oh Ruler of my all." 

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.