The kids and I study hymns. Truthfully, when I first heard about Hymn Study I thought it was kind of lame. But ever since we've started reading the stories of those who have written some of the most famous hymns of all time, my heart has been truly blessed.My latest favorite was written by the lovely Elizabeth Prentiss. The week after Christmas there were a few days that nearly everyone in the farmhouse was sick and I was able to spend several hours curled up under a blanket on the couch reading Prentiss' biography.These past few years the Lord has softened my heart and turned my thoughts towards Him in ways I never thought plausible. He's been teaching to me to surrender, not out of obligation, but out of a joyful desire to love Him more and more as my years go by.What I love about reading the history of women that have lived a life of love towards Christ, is discovering the many things that they endured and the many things that they triumphed over. I love reading the testimony of their struggles and delighting in the least likely ways that that the Lord uses to redeem them and transform them into His likeness.It makes me feel like there is nothing that I can't walk through. There is nothing too difficult for a woman who's willing to surrender it all to a Savior who's willing to give more than she could ever think up or imagine.I've been listening to this hymn on repeat... It keeps my mind on Him in the midst of my crazy....More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee;more love to thee, more love to thee!Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;now thee alone I seek, give what is best.This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;more love to thee, more love to thee!Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain;sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain,when they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee;more love to thee, more love to thee!Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise;this be the parting cry my heart shall raise;this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;more love to thee, more love to thee!
