Hide Thou Me

A tribute to Patria Louise Anderson. Her favorite song, published in 1926 when she was 10 years old.

Hide Thou Me

Sometimes I get discouraged and thinnk my life in vain.
I'm tempted oft to murmur and of my lot complain.
But then I think of Jesus and all He's done for me.
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.
No other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander far, far from Thee,
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

Sometimes it seems I dare not go one step further on
And from my heart all courage has disappeared and gone.
But I remember Jesus and all His love for me.
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

O what a friend is Jesus, sure Anchor of my soul.
So tender, true and gracious, I'm safe in His control.
My Help in time of danger, my strong Defense is He.
O Thou Blessed Rock of Ages, "Hide Thou me."

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.
No other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander far, far from Thee
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me."

42 and Graduation

I am 42 years old. My son Eli will be graduating from kindergarten in a few weeks. He will be 6 years old. I will go and proudly witness his transition to "real school" and out of early childhood. I will weep and hug and thump my chest. He is growing up so fast.

When my dad was 42 years old, he attended my graduation -- from college. I was 22 years old.

Little difference in perspective and significance, don't ya think?

But I hope he proudly witnessed my transition to "real life" and out of adolescence. I hope he wept and thumped his chest. I don't remember the hug. Our relationship at the time could best be described as a cessation of hostilities to reload.

Things are better now, and I think Eli has a lot to do with that. Grandparents relate to their grandkids differently than they did with their kids. We all know that.

I think they relate differently to their kids, too.