We all have different experiences and challenges during our journey here on earth. Some experiences are joyful successes and some disappointing failures. Some folks develop and enjoy good relationships while others find some relationships very difficult. Often we face sorrowful losses such as the loss of loved ones or good friends. As we grow older we often face difficult physical challenges that we never anticipated. Sometimes discouragement, depression or bitterness can develop in our lives. Throughout our journey here we often encounter various temptations. Unfortunately, sometimes we give in to those temptations and that keeps us from finishing well. Sadly, too many believers have seen their testimony and reputation spoiled by making wrong choices later in life. The journey isn't always easy. Because of all these challenges it is comforting to have a guide who leads us gently along our path to our final destination Psalm 23: 2,3 reminds us, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." This week's hymn choice is a prayer to ask our heavenly Father to gently lead us through our life's journey and to our final home. I used to think that this hymn was really about our final hours when the Lord was about to take us home. Certainly those are days that we all wonder about, and sometimes worry about. Will it be sudden? Will we go through months and years of suffering? How and when will it happen? But the Lord will be there to lead us gently through that time. But as I examine the verses of the hymn I believe that this is a prayer for His leading throughout our entire life. "In life's darkest hours ... When life's troubles come ... Keep my feet from wandering, lest from Thee I roam ... Lest I fall upon the wayside ... Lead me gently home." Will Lamartine Thompson (1847-1909) penned these words in 1879. Rebuffed in an early attempt to sell his songs to a commercial publishing company, he started his own publishing company. He later expanded to sell pianos, organs and sheet music. Among his most well known hymns are "Jesus Is All the World to Me", "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling", and "There 's a Great Day Coming". I don't know the events that led him to compose "Lead Me Gently Home, Father", but I can assume that it was based on his personal experiences on his journey as well as scripture verses such as Psalm 23, or "Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face." (Psalm 5:8). "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24). Our prayer should be to wait on Him, not getting ahead of His hand and not seeking our on path on our journey: "Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." (Ps 25:4-5). May our Father daily gently lead us on our journey and one day bring us safely to our eternal home
1 Lead me gently home, Father,
When life's toils are ended,
And parting days have come,
Sin no more shall tempt me,
Ne'er from Thee I'll roam,
If Thou'll only lead me, Father,
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
2 Lead me gently home, Father,
In life's darkest hours, Father,
When life's troubles come,
Keep my feet from wandering,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
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