Still Singing

Bible Reading: Psalm 98:1-9

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus; just to take Him at His Word. Just to…” The words of the song floated up the stairs, invading Harrison’s sleep. He yawned and rolled over with a groan. Grandma was singing, just like any other morning. As her voice rang out, tears escaped Harrison’s eyes and trickled onto his pillow. How can Grandma sing? he wondered. Isn’t she sad that Grandpa died?

As Harrison ate breakfast a little later, he asked her about it. “Grandma, how can you sing this morning? I don’t feel like singing at all. I miss Grandpa.”

Grandma wiped a tear from her eye. “I miss Grandpa too, but singing about the Lord comforts my heart. It reminds me that Jesus is always with me—even in difficult times.”

“But Grandpa died,” Harrison blurted out. “We had his funeral yesterday.”

“I know,” Grandma said gently. “But I also know Grandpa wouldn’t want me to stop singing. He’s finally experiencing the joy of seeing Jesus face-to-face, and he’d want me to remember the joy I have in Jesus too.”

“Do you think Grandpa is singing now?” Harrison asked quietly.

Grandma smiled. “What better place is there to sing than in the presence of Jesus?” She sat down next to Harrison. “Grandpa always said singing hymns helped him feel God’s love and peace. Singing does that for me too. So many songs help me remember that God is truly good and that He is in control. Death is terrible, and I grieve because I feel lonely and miss Grandpa. But I can still sing because I know Jesus conquered death when He died and rose again. And because Grandpa trusted in Jesus, he’ll be raised from the dead one day too!”

When he finished eating, Harrison pushed away from the table. “I think I’ll go outside for a while.”

Harrison went out to the barn, climbed up on his grandfather’s old tractor, and thought about what Grandma had said. He decided to try singing one of the verses of “Amazing Grace” he’d often heard his grandparents sing. “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,” he sang softly, “we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.” Tears trickled down his cheeks. “Dear Jesus,” he prayed, “please tell Grandpa I’m still singing.”

-Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Do you like to sing? Singing is a great way to remind ourselves of the joy we have in Jesus. Yet it can be a lot more difficult to sing when we’re going through a hard time. But even then, we can remember what Jesus has done for us and sing to Him. He died and rose again to save us, and He promises to give us comfort and peace. He is good, so keep on singing!

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 98:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Sing to the Lord