THERE IS SUNSHINE IN MY SOUL

          If you've ever flown you may have experienced taking off in bad weather, then going through dark clouds,and then suddenly flying into the brilliance of the sun shining above the clouds.  There's a saying that behind the clouds the sun is always shining. And that is a picture of what should be true in the life of the believer.  Though we live in a world dark with sin and pain and trouble, it is possible to find sunshine in our lives, despite the circumstances, through the Lord Jesus Christ, who Malachi calls "the Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2). Jesus said, "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (Jonn 12:46). Eliza Hewitt (1851 - 1920) was a school teacher in Philadelphia.  While trying to correct a rebellious student, she turned around and the student struck her across the back with a heavy slate.  This severely injured her spine and she was placed in a body cst for six months.  She never fully recovered and was often bedridden for long periods of time.  But her faith was in the Lord Jesus Christ and He sustained her through this ordeal. When she was released from her body cast it is said that she went for a walk in Philadelphia's Fairmont Park.  There she was overcome with the beauty and the sunshine.  The experience inspired her in 1887 to write this week's hymn choice.  In it she applies the exhilaration of stepping out into the sunshine to the joy she found in fellowship with Christ.  Light in Scripture depicts the abundant life the Lord can give to those who trust in Him. "God who commanded light to shine out of darkness … has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6).   Hewitt enlisted the services of John R. Sweeney (1837-1899), composer of many songs, to compose a lively melody for this happy song.   She was also the good friend of another prolific hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, and, like her friend, she concentrated on that ministry. Though hindered from moving about, she began writing gospel songs, and eventually produced many hundreds of them. Some of these were written under the pen name Lidie H. Edmunds. Brightly joyous songs of faith and hope, they include: More About Jesus; My Faith Has Found a Resting Place; Since the Fullness of His Love Came In; Singing I Go; Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus; and Stepping in the Light.  As you meditate upon the words and sing Hewitt's song this week, hopefully you will feel the joy she expressed in her salivation and in the work of Christ in her life through the illustration and picture of sunshine in her soul.  Hopefully this is also your experience and testimony.  "When Jesus shoes His smiling face, there is sunshine in my soul" ...  no matter what my circumstance may be.

1.   There is sunshine in my soul today,

More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky,

For Jesus is my light

Oh, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

2.   There is music in my soul today,

A carol to my King,

And Jesus listening can hear

The songs I cannot sing.

Oh, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

3.   There is springtime in my soul today,

For when the Lord is near,

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flow'rs of grace appear.

Oh, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

4.   There is gladness in my soul today,

And hope and praise and love,

For blessings which he gives me now,

For joys "laid up" above.

Oh, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

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