Last week, I introduced a series, ‘Everyday…Redeemed’ by talking about co-op cooking. This week, the topic is wandering thoughts. These busy days of mine do not necessarily translate into thought-provoking moments. In fact, if I’m not mindful, I can go a long time without having a thought of any substance-nothing beyond, ‘oh no, that’s burning.’ or ‘uh oh, he’s out of white t shirts.’ or ‘yikes, that was a big one!’ One method I’ve employed in the past few years to direct my wandering thoughts is that of memorizing hymns.
I suppose my husband introduced this idea to me. While I was overseas, I found out about Indelible Grace and their work providing new tunes for old, great hymns. Since then, my husband has also introduced me to Red Mountain Church band who does similar work. I do enjoy praise songs, but hymns tend to have so much more depth and doctrine. One hymn’s verse can teach huge lessons. And with bands like Indelible Grace and Red Mountain Church revamping the tunes, I find the hymns more enjoyable to sing.
So, last year, I gave myself to memorizing a few hymns to sing throughout my day. These were hymns I wasn’t necessarily familiar with before but that really speak to me now. For the hymns listed below, you can click on them to read the lyrics, hear an example of the new tune and even read some history of the hymn. A few that I’ve memorized are:
- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
- How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
- Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder
- My Faith Looks Up To Thee
- Abide With Me
Since memorizing these, I’ve learned to use their tune and words to focus my mind even as I go about doing otherwise ‘mindless’ activities. I’ll use Abide with Me to show what I mean.
- When singing the first verse, I try to think about how quickly life is passing. This song often comes to my mind when I’m feeling worn out-‘help of the helpless, abide with me.’ This verse causes me to pray that God will turn me to often think of eternity and remind me how to live in a way to make these days count.
- When singing the second verse, I remember my days of running from the Lord and I thank Him for turning me towards Him. I also think of others that I know who are currently ‘rebellious’ and distant from Jesus and use this opportunity to pray that Jesus would save them too.
- The third verse reminds me of all the challenges before me and gives me opportunity to recommit my faith in the Lord-that He will carry us through. ‘Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?’ And this verse reminds me to pray similar prayers for faith for friends and family who are also faced with numerous challenges.
- The fourth verse helps me put trials into perspective and reminds me to pray for others that are persecuted for their faith or are facing severe sickness. ‘I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless.’ I pray that we will all ‘triumph still’ no matter what we face.
- Finally, in the last verse, I think of my own death, even of the fact that my children’s lives will one day end. And I think of my grandparents and parents…how we all will one day face the day of ‘closing eyes.’ This verse causes me to pray for extra mercy and grace for those near death and for help for my family to live each day ready for our final one when ‘heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee.’
And that’s just one song! My days are so full of activity but I don’t want these days to pass without thinking serious thoughts and praying heart-felt prayers. So, for me, a way to redeem this time is to sing (as poorly as I do) these hymns and focus, even if for a second on eternal things.
How do you harness in those wandering thoughts? What other methods have you found helpful? What are your favorite hymns to sing?
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