Love's Banner Spreads Further

Yesterday, I had shared with you about my experience with a children’s hymn, from the old-time Days. It was one which I had not heard, or sung for ages, something from the good old days, which was, quite frankly, dead, lost and dormant to me. I was also sharing with you that my coming back to this hymn and the good old days of singing it, had absolutely nothing to do with me. I never instigated it, never wished for it, never brought it to light, or gave it life again in me. I quote what was shared with you, on this truth.

“It was the work of the Spirit Himself, absolutely nothing to do with me, who brought back to life, this lost and forgotten hymn. Think of it! I was dead to this hymn, so how could I bring life to it in me, or anyone for that matter? It is all the Spirit’s working and producing – not one bit of help or input from me, even in the smallest part.” Let’s continue to receive a couple more truths on this.

It was the will of the Spirit, His singular will, nothing of mine, that decided to bring to my mind, the remembrance of this hymn from very old days. I mean, how can I desire something, of which I have no recollection? It is all the Spirit’s will and desire – absolutely nothing of my desire, wishes or will, whatsoever.

It was the Spirit’s wisdom to bring this forgotten hymn back to life, as it were and include others in its returning, revival and renewal. Because of this, you who know this hymn from long ago as children, will again joy in having it brought back to your memory. You will, I might add, be led to other pleasant memories of the good old days in Sunday School and the grand times you had then. On the other hand, for younger ones who have never even heard of such a hymn, it comes to you fresh and new as morning dew. It comes with all its beauty, power and charm, nothing lost. In fact, it now comes with greater gain, as our Lord uses it to grow us all, old and young, in wisdom and stature and in favour with Father God and others.

Here is this long awaited hymn from the 1800’s, as penned by Rebecca J Weston.

Father we thank Thee for the night

And for the pleasant morning light,

For rest and food and loving care,

And all that makes the day so fair.

 

Help us to do the things we should,

To be to others kind and good,

In all we do, in work or play,

To grow more loving every day.

Our minds are specifically focused on the last stanza and in particular, the last two lines. In all we do, in work or play, To grow more loving every day.

The author, in addressing all that children do, categorises them under two huge headings, namely work and play. In short, what we are seeing and hearing are these.

• Working, is what children do.

• Playing, is what children do.

Suddenly, it has dawned upon me that when I begin to think of the work children do, I am not as free, fluent and elaborate in thought, speech, and ideas, as when I think of the play children do. Is this you also? I’m sure some of you share this predicament with me. Why then are we more forthcoming with children’s play, than children’s work? Is it because our definition of work, our understanding of work, colours us? One of the things our thoughts tell us upfront, is this. Children do not work, adults are the ones who work. This has brought greater curiosity and I need to know more. What about you? With alacrity and resolve, we want to pursue this question which has raised its head from the hymn.

What is a child’s work?

We address this tomorrow.