November 3, 2009

• Closer to You

  Some of you have seen this on our Facebook pages, but I wanted to share it here, also.

  This is Bethany singing in honor of our friend, Ruthie, who died on October 19. Ruthie would have been 91 on Nov. 2, so Beth sang this Sunday. Ruth thought Bethany just hung the moon. They would laugh and giggle together like a couple of school girls. Ruthie would tell her, "You're the sweetest young girl I've ever known. I think I'll keep you."
  
  Sometimes All the time, Ruthie liked to tease Beth. When Beth would go see her, she'd act like she couldn't imagine what she did wrong, to deserve that. She was a cut-up. She did the same thing last Christmas when several of us from church went to the nursing home to sing Christmas carols to her. The staff and even her family, did not think she knew much of anything. She didn't talk much, and she slept a lot. But I sat on the edge of her bed as we sang, and I heard her softly say, "What did I do to deserve this?" Some thought she was just grateful that we chose to visit her. I knew better...that was just Ruthie cutting up again.

  Closer to You...

  Closer to me I'm tired and I'm weak
  And every breath within me is longing just to be
  Closer to You
  So I face the road ahead
  Cause I know there's no comparing
  To what's waiting at the end
  
  So let the rain start falling where it will
  And I will run through this valley
  Just to climb to that hill
  And if they ask why I'm smiling
  After all I've been through
  It's cause I'm just a day closer to You
  
  Closer to me I hear You whisper on the wind
  You say although my life is ending
  A new one will begin
  Closer to You
  And I know I'm not alone
  Cause I can hear You in the distance
  Saying, you are nearly home
  
  So let the rain start falling where it will
  And I will run through this valley
  Just to climb to that hill
  And if they ask why I'm dancing
  Though my days may be few
  It's cause I'm just a day closer to You
  
  Closer to me You're in the laughter and the tears
  Of the ones I leave behind me
  Who have prayed me through the years
  Closer to You
  And I know it won't be long
  Till You're running down the pathway
  Just to take me in Your arms
  
  So let the rain start falling where it will
  And I will run through this valley
  Just to climb to that hill
  And if they ask why I'm singing
  Though my life's almost through
  It's cause I'm just a day closer
  I'm just a day closer
  I'm just a day closer to You

  This was Bethany's comment on Facebook:
  
  It was hard to sing, not only because I've been sick but I was forcing myself not to cry and just get through it. Especially at the end, "and if they ask why I'm singing though my life's almost through;" that was hard because I saw her the day before she died and she couldn't talk or respond very much, but my mom was singing Amazing Grace to her and she was trying to sing along. She was always praising God. Even at the end. I guess I'll always remember that with this song, now.

  
  
  

  • 12:35 PM
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