Archives for September 13, 2014

Devotion

On our way rejoicing
gladly let us go.
Christ our Lord has conquered;
vanquished is the foe.
Christ without, our safety;
Christ within, our joy;
who, if we be faithful,
can our hope destroy?

On our way rejoicing;
as we forward move,
hearken to our praises,
O blest God of love!

Unto God the Father
joyful songs we sing;
unto God the Savior
thankful hearts we bring;
unto God the Spirit
bow we and adore,
on our way rejoicing
now and evermore.

This summer we said good-bye to a beloved retired pastor who was a member of our congregation. As the family shared stories of their dad, they fondly remembered vacations from their childhood. Each time they would load into the family car they'd sing together "On Our Way Rejoicing," being reminded that God was with them as they left. They were a musical family, and I can imagine that their car was filled with singing for much of the trip.

I'm fairly certain that if I suggested a hymn sing to my sons as we left for a vacation they'd push me out the door. Thankfully, there are many ways to remember that Christ travels with us as we travel on our way. Perhaps you bless your children with a cross on the forehead as you tuck them into bed, or maybe you pray a special prayer each time you walk out the door. Whatever it might be, it is never too late to develop new practices of blessing one another and remembering that Christ goes with you as you depart from home.