Sunday, April 26, 2009

"Not What My Hands Have Done"

Can I just say, again, how refreshing it is for me when I go to church? The more emotional and complex that my life becomes, the more meaningful it is to me! I truly feel that I would be drowning right now, if not for hearing the word of God each Sunday morning! This morning we sang my all time favorite Psalter hymnal. I always go away feeling so uplifted when we sing this song! It is such a touching reminder for me that I NEED God and the grace that He has given to me. Here are the words to the song, written by Horatius Bonar in 1864. I wonder if this author knew that he would be touching someone so deeply 145 years later from when he wrote this song?! I guess this just proves that our life can have a great purpose, even when we may no longer be there to 'touch' others. I am very thankful for these words put to music! Enjoy!


1. Not what my hands have done
can save my guilty soul;
not what my toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers and sighs and tears
can bear my awful load.

2. Your voice alone, O Lord,
can speak to me of grace;
your power alone, O Son of God,
can all my sin erase.
No other work but yours,
no other blood will do;
no strength but that which is divine
can bear me safely through.

3. I praise the Christ of God;
I rest on love divine;
and with unfaltering lip and heart
I call this Savior mine.
My Lord has saved my life
and freely pardon gives;
I love because he first loved me,
I live because he lives.




On the subject of touching others, I want to share with you a friend that I have met through blogging. Her name is Lacey and she has a son named Jaxson. Jaxson's life has traveled a similiar road as Gavin's. He was born with Down syndrome and heart defects. He has suffered a brain injury and seizures and he has had to spend many months of his life in the hospital. He is a very handsome little guy that has stolen my heart, well what is left of it anyway, that my boys don't already have! :) He has truly touched my life, along with his mother.

Despite the obstacles, or maybe because of these obstacles, Lacey has started an outreach for others. She makes blankets for children who are going through life with special needs. She is a very busy lady, caring for Jaxson and her 3 other boys, and yet she makes time to do this for others! She has asked that we "spread the word" about what she is doing, so that she can be made aware of more children and their families who might benefit from one of her comforting blankets. She has such a heart and wants to share some of it with children in need! If you know of a child who might want one, go to the following blog site to get more information:



Jaxson's Blankies for Babes


Here is a picture of Gavin with the Blankie that she made for him.





Thanks Lacey and Jaxson for touching my life with yours, and for giving back to others in such a comforting way!



"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

9 comments:

Carla Pennings said...

Thanks a bunch for all your postings. They are going to be used in a presentation about Downs for my class in Toronto Cananda. Keep up the postings and the sharing from your heart as you bless others through the special life of Gavin.
God Bless
Carla

Hope said...

What a beautiful song! And what an incredible thing to do for babies that fight so hard.

Lacey said...

Thanks for the attention. What a great song that is. I love to watch Carter play because he is so good but he's the littlest on the team. Yeah, I'm a braggy mommy.

Alicia said...

I have always loved that hymn.

How cool that you have a bloggy buddy who has SO much in common with you! Even down to having 4 kids, all boys!

The blanket project is so cool. I will keep it in mind for others I may encounter. What a sweet thing to do!

Have a great week!

Michelle said...

That is totally awesome. I am also always rejuvinated when i attend services. It is one of the things in my life that is missing right now. I attempted today, but had to come back home with Lil'. As I sat in tears, from missing worhip time, I again, heard that small voice that reminds me that this too shall come to pass and there are better days ahead.

The hymnal is lovely, I don't know that I've ever heard it, I'm not sure I recognize the words.

Love what your bloggy buddy is doing, it's awesome that she makes time to reach out to others. What a blessing to share with others.

Hope you have a great week!

Heather said...

The music is one of the things I miss most about going to church.I cannot wait until we all can go as a family together again.As for Lacy ... she is pretty darn special.As are you.So glad the blogging world has joined us and these beautiful children.I am so blessed because of all of you.

Annette Gysen said...

That is a great song. I'm so glad for church, too, in good times and bad. What would we do without it?

Sandi said...

Wow...I came for a visit to find the same hymn that I posted on my blog this past Friday. I have been thinking on this hymn so much myself lately. I love when things like this happen.

I also love the version of It is Well you have here. It's one my favorite songs.

Anxious AF said...

Oh I have had so much catching up to do! We have been having internet trouble.....I want so badly to go to church, but it seems so impossible.
I love the blanket!