Hymn: “God, Who Touches Earth with Beauty” – Mary S. Edgar
(1890 – 1973)
Common Tunes: GENEVA, BUTLER
This prayer hymn has some powerful phrases, and this opening
line (repeated later) is simply meaningful, referring to our nature… not to our
appearance.
My mother taught a Sunday School class of young women. Unlike
some classes, she named hers “The Lovely Ladies Class.” The others had biblical
connections or spiritual implications; but Mama called them her lovely ladies!
They were involved in serious study of the Bible every Sunday morning, but the
fellowship deepened throughout the years as they cared deeply about one
another… and especially about their teacher.
When my parents celebrated their 40th wedding
anniversary, the Lovely Ladies hosted the special reception in their honor. I
was living in Denver at the time, and those women covered all the details so
that when I flew home, everything was ready. When my mother passed away, they
were the ones who provided the after-burial luncheon for all our family
members.
Over the years, I had kidded my mother about what she had
named her class. But when they stepped in and filled the gaps needed to be sure
she was highly honored in every way, I realized she had used the term ‘lovely’
because they truly had been touched by the beauty of Christ in their lives and
were deep-down wonderful. As the hymn indicates, the Spirit had a re-creative
effect on them, and their hearts had been renewed; they were glad and free,
strong and sure… and they conducted a ministry of love for one another,
especially for their devoted Sunday School teacher.
I’m not interested in being good-looking; that’s not the
kind of loveliness I seek. I sincerely want the beauty of Christ to be realized
by those to whom and with whom I minister.
This text sung by
Houston Children’s Choir
No comments:
Post a Comment
You are welcome to comment on any of the posts. They are sent to ME directly. Thanks for any feedback you would like to make.