MY MUM'S FAVOURITE HYMN 

My Mum

You would have loved my mum; she never liked to be the centre of attention and was happiest working in the background. At any church event, she could always be found behind a teapot. She was a good cook and made a mean bread pudding, while her apple pie was to die for. She was kind, loving, and a good mother; I could go on with a list as long as your arm.

Apart from her simple faith, her children, and grandchildren were the most important people in her life. But I could sum my mum up in one short sentence. She was lovely. 

I remember her working hard cleaning for other people, earning money for things like holidays, special treats for the family, or a day at the seaside.

Our home was always clean and tidy, and family always came first. My sister and I never went without, although at times we had to wait a while until funds were sufficient to buy a particular item.

My childhood was a very happy time, and it was only when I stepped beyond the bounds set by Mum and Dad that all she had to say to bring me back into line was “Just wait until your father gets home”. Mum was very fair, and I probably got away with much more than I should have.

When she became a Christian, she had a favourite hymn which she would sing around the house as she went about her chores, caring for the family.

That hymn stayed with her until she passed away; it was a hymn that summed up my mum's Christian life. She was, how shall I put it, not an over-the-top Christian but one who had a deep, simple faith in a saviour who loved her and cared about her. She lived at a time when women wore hats to church and would be found serving tea and biscuits after the mid-week meetings.

Mum's favourite hymn was “What a friend we have in Jesus”, and in it, she found the expression of her faith. Simple yet profound. She took the words and simply applied them to every aspect of her life, and found the truth written in them never failed her.

Please take just a moment to read or re-read these words, written in 1855

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged-

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share

Jesus knows our every weakness.

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden?

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge-

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms, he'll take and shield thee

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Many of you reading these words will be familiar with them,

Try putting them into action today

They are as relevant today as when they were written.