Eventide

The north-west colors at the beach were striking a couple weeks ago, as the sun began to round the earth and settle in for the night. The tide was out and the sodden sand reflected the sky. Children pulled socks and shoes over wet, sandy feet; the impending darkness urged us to begin our upward hike.

The movements and vastness of the sky and the sea, the beauty of rising and setting sun, the moon and the wind, the force and the splendor of nature-- it all moves me to worship. The handiwork of the Creator is unmistakable.

Today we sang one of my favorite old hymns in church, and it's tune has stayed on my heart much of the day. I thought I'd post it here tonight as a prayer...

Abide With Me

Henry F. Lyte, 1847

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

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

~K