Abide with me

“Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

“In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

The words above are two lines out of the hymn ‘Abide with Me,’ often sung at funerals and remembrance ceremonies. The hymn asks God to remain with them throughout life and death. It was written by Anglican priest, Henry Francis Lyte, in 1820, and first sung at his funeral in 1847. All the words are meaningful and thought provoking–especially now. Take a few minutes to read through the whole hymn. If you don’t have a hymnal and have a computer, the words are available on Google. There were, originally, eight stanzas to this hymn. Usually only five verses are sung these days. The others also have powerful words.

I have recently been saddened by the deaths of a number of special people in my life. The COVID-19 pandemic has made life very difficult for those left behind to mourn loved ones. Often funerals and celebration of life ceremonies have been unable to be held. Sometimes the rules allow for very limited attendance. It used to be a time when family and friends shared together, hugged, cried, ate comfort foods and reached out. Now, sadly, telephone calls or cards are the best way of connecting. I feel it is not really a closure for those suffering. Nothing beats a heartfelt hug. I well remember how much that helped when my father died in 1996, and my husband, George, died in 1999. Touch really counted. “I need Thy presence every passing hour. …Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.”

While everything appears to have changed in our present world, the one thing that has not is God. That is well expressed in this hymn. “O Thou who changest not, abide with me.”

We are about to begin Lent with Ash Wednesday falling on the 2nd of March. During the 40 days of Lent, we are given a time of preparation, and an opportunity to go deeper with God. This means that it’s a time for personal reflection. It prepares our hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter. The three main things we should focus on during Lent are:

Prayer (considering our need for God’s forgiveness, and receiving God’s mercy and love); Fasting (giving up something that is a regular part of our lives – e.g. not eating desserts, or limiting our computer time – as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. This gives us an opportunity to use that time connecting with God); Giving (responding to God’s grace by giving of our time, generosity, or love to others – e.g. perhaps by using the money, normally used on oneself for coffee or a treat, instead on others, or by calling someone who is alone and lonely, and needs to hear someone really cares).

For forty days we are given this opportunity to make Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday, and resurrection on Easter, even more meaningful. Use this time wisely. “I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;  …I triumph still, if Thou abides with me.”

One past Lent, I wrote forty personal letters to family and friends. It was much appreciated. Perhaps this is something you might consider? A friend took forty photographs showing our beautiful world and added Scripture verses to accompany them. I think that you can come up with your own gift.

Thanks be to God!

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