The songs of those who love Him

Renee Ann Smith —  January 2, 2011 — 48 Comments

Poet and missionary Amy Carmichael spent years in India working to help the poor, widowed, and orphaned around her. She wrote a book called His Thoughts Said; His Father Said to record conversations between a child of God and his/her Heavenly Father. In this excerpt the Son [Christian] can find no words with which to praise his Beloved [God]:

Amy Carmichael

The Son greatly wished to make a song of lovely things to sing to his Beloved–but he could not find singing words.

He heard the voice of his Beloved saying, “You are walking on the road where all who love Me walk. Some of them walked this way singing, and they’ve left their songs behind them.

Find their songs. Sing their words. They will be your song to Me.”

In 2011, let’s celebrate the Songs of Those Who Love Him wherever we find them.

In great lives from the past. In the words of talented authors. In songs and hymns and spiritual songs. In the lives of inspiring people we meet online. In the lives of everyday folks we find next to us in the pew at church. In whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and excellent.

And let’s encourage each other to stay on the right path–the Road Where All Who Love Him Walk.

I once read a great testimony but could not find the source from feeble attempts at research. A certain hard-living artist/painter came to Christ late in his life. But the bad habits he’d formed over the years proved difficult to break. He often slipped from his resolutions and fell into his old ways. His friends began to ridicule his attempts to share Christ with them. They questioned his Christianity and whether or not his faith was real. His reply went something like this:

If we were all lost in the woods, searching for some way out of the labyrinth of trees and thorns and thickets, and I found the way that led to safety, peace and happiness–whether I walk that road with vigor and purpose or stumble along it drunkenly

It’s still the right road.

Forgive my poetic license and keep that in mind whenever you stumble along the way or fear what lies ahead or feel tempted to find an off ramp.

Perhaps we’ve made bad choices that we cannot undo. Perhaps happy days have passed that we cannot recapture. Perhaps the way forward holds change and uncertainty. Or perhaps the way forward holds too much of the same old thing, and we’re losing our enthusiasm for enduring it.

Take heart, friends. If we’re following the Savior, it’s still the right road!

Happy, happy 2011!

In Devotional Thoughts, Faithful people of the past , , , , ,
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Renee Ann Smith

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I teach literature in a Christian high school by day and write inspirational fiction by night. I love to share heart-touching quotes and stories here on my blog. So glad you stopped by!

48 responses to The songs of those who love Him

  1. Kate {The Parchment Girl} January 2, 2011 at 9:50 am

    Thanks for the encouraging words! What an excellent thought to start the New Year off with.

    Reply
  2. Dunlizzie January 2, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    This is an absolutely beautiful post! I love the story of the road. It shows grace, perseverance and hope. Thanks. I found you today through the Comment Love Hop and am glad I did. God bless :)

    Reply
  3. april January 2, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    hey there, i’m following from Relax and Surf! i hope you can stop by my blog and follow back :)

    best,
    april

    http://www.marineparents-blog.com

    Reply
  4. Janine January 2, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Such beautiful words of encouragement. Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Laura Harrison January 2, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    I’m ringing in on the 2011 hop. Please stop by my blog. Sorry this is short (and copied and pasted) but you know, it’s a hop, and a very l-o-n-g one at that. I’m trying to visit many, ones I already follow too to say Have a great 2011!
    Cheerio!
    Laurie
    http://grandma-sez-so.blogspot.com/2011/01/following-in-quotes-is-from-land-of.html

    Reply
  6. sherry January 2, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a wonderful post. It is much appreciated.. What a beautiful post you posted…such encouragement thank you for sharing..

    Reply
  7. carol January 2, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Beautiful post!
    Hello!

    Found you on a blog hop and am your newest follower – Would love for you to check out my blog and follow back if you like it.

    Check out my “retail therapy” giveaways and enter a few, there are some great products to win.

    I also have a fantastic weekly blog hop.

    http://retailtherapylounge.blogspot.com

    Carol

    Reply
  8. Julia January 2, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    Oh, I love that Amy Carmichael quote, Renee Ann. I love your devotionals :)

    Reply
  9. Julia January 2, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Yes, I am. I’m trying to catch up on your posts. I just wanted to let you know I so appreciate the fact that your blog is ministry-minded. I definitely want to read Darlene Rose even though I must have missed this post the first time around :)

    Reply
    • Renee Ann Smith January 2, 2011 at 6:54 pm

      I didn’t finish my posts about Darlene. I got sidetracked by a fun Christmas challenge. But even so, I think you’ll love her and want to buy the book for your daughter some day!

      Reply
  10. Pattyann January 2, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    Oh, this is so beautiful today, and so true. I also learned once that none of us can walk the way perfectly, you see, there was only ever one perfect person and I am not Him. So, no matter how we are trying to walk that road, I think it is good to remember that we are each doing as well as we can right at this moment. I loved your story today. It was exactly right.

    Reply
  11. Laura Frantz January 2, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    Beautiful post, Renee Ann! The pics are also breathtaking! I’ve loved AC ever since I read a bio of her several years ago. Hers was not an easy life but she was so faithful. Oh, and your wooded moonlit pic belongs in my novels! Oh my…bless you for your wonderful words, too. You are quite a writer yourself.

    Reply
  12. Renee C. January 2, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    What great words to start the New Year off right! Thank you for sharing Renee!

    XOXO~ Renee C.

    Reply
  13. Bonny January 3, 2011 at 12:13 am

    I am your newest follower!

    Quick Tattletails
    :)

    Reply
  14. Helene January 3, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Thank you for the encouraging words – it’s a great reminder!
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  15. Juju at Tales of Whimsy January 3, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    Thank you for always inspiring me sweet Renee :) Great post :) A very happy blessed new year to you!

    Reply
  16. Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds January 3, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    I love that quote! Ultimately, it makes no difference. I have trouble remembering that.

    Reply
  17. Anna-Marie January 4, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    What a great post very encouraging:) Thanks for linking up with the No ordinary blog hop and for stopping by my blog. Have a great year and I will be back to read more:)

    Reply
  18. laughwithusblog January 4, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    I needed the encouragement today! Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Julie January 4, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Great blog and love the most recent post.

    God Bless
    julie

    Reply
  20. Tracy Bua Smith January 6, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks Renee Ann for linking up this encouraging and inspiring new year’s post to our No Ordinary Blog Hop! Your blog is a gem and I am so grateful that we have met in “blog world”. I look forward to reading your future posts. Congrats on the Star Blogger award for the No Ordinary Blog Hop! The questions and answers about you on the blog hop sight were fun to read! Also, I wanted to say “thank you” for your book recommendation of ” The Paperbag Christmas”. I have been reading it to my family and we love it. I was balling last night during the sad chapter about Katrina :( . I plan on doing a post on it for tomorrow (Friday) and I will link back to your great blog. Thanks again! The book is truly a treasure!
    God bless,
    Tracy at “A Slice of Smith Life”

    Reply
    • Renee Ann Smith January 6, 2011 at 4:25 pm

      I’m so glad you liked it, Tracy! I’ve been blessed by the bloggers I found through No Ordinary Blog Hop. And I was happy to be featured and will link up to my award in my next post. I also love popping in at your site to see what you and your family have been up to! It’s always fun and encouraging!

      Reply
  21. Cammie January 12, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Thank you so much for linking up to Women of the Word on Wednesdays! This was such an encouragement to me. I hope to see you link up next week as well!
    Love and Blessings
    Cammie

    Reply
  22. Trish January 12, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    Beautifully said.

    Thank you for stopping by my place today and blessing this woman with your sweet words.

    Blessings,
    Trish

    Reply
  23. Heather January 12, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    I love this. This simple truth is what should keep us from judging one another, as Jesus has commanded. What a great New Year’s post!

    Reply
  24. Lisa notes… January 12, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    I really like this! I often feel inadequate in my abilities to explain the road to others, but I know I am on the right road, and I can sing the songs that others have left here. Thanks for these thoughts.

    Reply

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