Where music, poetry, and storytelling meet. In this space, I share short videos of myself singing a favorite song or reading an original poem, paired with personal reflections and the heart-stirring backstories behind the words. It’s daily musings, set to a melody and spoken from the heart.
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Melodies & Musings
I have always loved the hymn, All Creatures of Our God and King. The music of that hymn is beautiful, but its words really resonate with me. My favorite is the fourth verse. It reads:
Dear Mother Earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Oh, praise Him! Alleluia!
I have always felt peace and joy being out in the beauty of nature, so maybe that’s why this verse really resonates with me. Our Heavenly Father made this beautiful world for us to live in, and He wants us to enjoy it. For me, I can feel my Heavenly Father’s love the most when I am outside and enjoying the beauty around me. And as this verse tells us, the earth helps us see the blessings around us and the flowers and fruits that grow on the earth show us the glory of Him who created them. Thinking about this makes me want to sing, “Alleluia! Oh, praise Him! Alleluia!”
What hymn or song helps you feel closer to God, and what makes it meaningful to you? Where in nature do you feel the most peace, and how does the beauty of God’s creations help you feel His love?
My therapist and I were talking about our ancestors. I have always felt a strong connection to my third-great-grandmother, Amanda Barnes Smith. Her story is incredible because she went through so many hard trials, and as far as I know, she stayed strong through it all. I told my therapist about the strong connection I feel with Amanda. She told me that our ancestors are angels looking after us and helping us through our hard times. She said they can give us strength and guidance when we are struggling. Then I realized that is why I feel such a strong connection to Amanda. I think it’s because she is looking after me from above. As I thought this, I started to cry and I could feel her presence near me, telling me that she was looking down on me and helping me get through my hardest days. That was an incredible experience for me. It’s funny that I had felt so close to Amanda for many years but I didn’t realize before that moment why I felt so drawn to her and her story.
I have felt my maternal grandfather, who has passed away, helping me through difficult times as well. I was really close to him when I was growing up until he passed away in 2003. So it makes sense that he is looking down on me and helping me through my trials. After the experience I had today, I want to pay more attention to the impressions I receive that my ancestors and loved ones are helping me.
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Melodies & Musings
I have loved the hymn A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief for a long time. The tune is beautiful, but it’s the words that really resonate with my heart. In 1826, James Montgomery wrote the words as a poem titled The Stranger and His Friend. The poem was inspired by Matthew 25:35-40, when Jesus tells us, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
I love these verses in Matthew because they tell us that when we serve someone, we are serving Jesus. Jesus always served and ministered to everyone. He was kind and loving to everyone. It didn’t matter to Him where they came from, what their family situation was, what their nationality or religion was; He loved everyone the same. We need to serve and be kind to everyone like Jesus was.
I love the progression of the words of this hymn. At first, the narrator is not sure what is different about this stranger, but there is something in the stranger’s eye that won his love, even though he didn’t know why. Then by the last verse of the hymn, the narrator can tell that the stranger is actually his Savior.
Have you ever helped someone and later realized how much that experience felt like serving the Savior? Have you ever encountered someone who seemed like a stranger at first, but through serving them, you felt closer to the Savior?
Here are the words of the hymn, if you are not very familiar with them:
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
Words by James Montgomery, 1826
VERSE 1 A poor, wayfaring Man of grief Hath often crossed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer nay. I had not pow’r to ask his name, Whereto he went, or whence he came; Yet there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not why.
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VERSE 2 Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered; not a word he spake; Just perishing for want of bread, I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, And ate, but gave me part again. Mine was an angel’s portion then, For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste.
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VERSE 3 I spied him where the fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone. The heedless water mocked his thirst; He heard it, saw it rushing on. I ran and raised the suff’rer up; Thrice from the stream he filled my cup, Dipped and returned it to my lip, Tho’ scarce complained of taste or sip.
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VERSE 4 ‘Twas night; the storm wound loud and high; Came travel-soiled a stranger poor, And asked if I had room or nigh To shelter him, and close the door. I took him in, and clothed and fed, And laid him on my own poor bed; While I slept on the floor, content To know that I had comfort lent.
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VERSE 5 Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I revived his fainting breath, And bound his wounds, and poured in oil and wine. I placed him on my own beast, then Brought him unto a quiet inn, And provided for his care, And left him with the landlord there.
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VERSE 6 In prison I saw him next, condemned To meet a traitor’s doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him ‘mid shame and scorn. My friendship’s utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die. The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
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VERSE 7 Then in a moment to my view The stranger started from disguise. The tokens in his hands I knew; The Savior stood before mine eyes. He spake, and my poor name he named, “Of me thou hast not been ashamed; These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst it unto me.”
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Melodies & Musings
I read through one of my older poems with the theme that facing our hard trials can sometimes feel like climbing a huge mountain. This theme is just as relevant to me today as it was when I wrote that poem.
But today, I want to talk about helping others climb or move their mountains. I am a firm believer that we need to share our experiences, especially our hard ones, with others so that we can learn from the faith of others. I have learned from the faith of my friends and family, as well as the legacy of faith left by those who have gone before me.
That’s one reason I love to write about my faith and experiences, so that the faith of my readers can be strengthened by hearing about my experiences. I think that is one of the reasons why our Heavenly Father wants us to reach out to others in love and friendship, so that we can share our experiences and learn from each other.
I love this scripture in Romans 12:15 that tells us, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” We do need to rejoice when those around us are rejoicing. But I think it’s more important to weep with those who weep. We need to know the needs of others and the trials they are facing so that we can be their shoulder to cry on when they need it.
Have you ever had someone help you through a difficult trial simply by listening and being there for you? How have you been able to help someone who was facing a difficult trial?
Thank you for subscribing-may these words bring a quiet moment of peace and reflection to your day.
Melodies & Musings
I think the hymn There Is a Green Hill Far Away is one of my favorites about the crucifixion of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The music is beautiful. But as a poet and writer, the words really speak to me, especially verses three and four of this hymn.
Verse 3:
There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin.
He only could unlock the gate
Of heav’n and let us in.
Verse 4:
Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood,
And try his works to do.
I love that in the third verse it tells us that Jesus was the only one good enough to pay the price for our sins. Jesus knew what His Father wanted Him to come down to this earth to do, and no one else could have done it; only Jesus could have. I love the end lines of the third verse that tell us that only Jesus could unlock the gate of heaven to let us in. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we too can be resurrected. I feel so grateful that Jesus paid the price for my sins and shortcomings, and that He died on the cross and was resurrected so that I could have hope for today and for the future.
I love that the words of the fourth verse talk about how much Jesus loves us. He loves each of us so much that He fulfilled His mission on earth as our Savior and Redeemer. Since He loves us, we must also love Him. It’s easy for me to love Jesus because He showed how much He loves me. I need to trust that because of Jesus, repentance is possible. I can feel cleansed and become a better person. I think another part of loving Jesus is following His example. That’s the hardest part, because I am human and I make mistakes so often. Because of Jesus, I always have another chance to repent, change, and become a better person. I’m so grateful for the knowledge and faith that I have about Jesus. It brings me hope every day, but especially on my hardest days.
