"For Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore ... lead me and guide me." (Psalm 31:3)
Sadly, over the years too many Christians have yielded to a variety of temptations as they grew older and they ruined their testimony and legacy. These include many who were leaders in Christian ministries. They stumbled on their journey home.
But then there are many others who have struggled on their final journey because of unexpected challenges they have faced. Physical problems in particular can make the journey tough.
So there is good reason for the prayer to lead me gently home. Believers have a Father who can keep us from temptation and give us wisdom and strength to face the unexpected challenges of our senior years.
I assume this truth must have been the motivation that led Will Thompson to pen these words.
All of Will's family were lovers of music. While just a boy, Will took a great interest in piano. Born with a natural musical talent, he was given piano lessons and at an early age became a great pianist. He was in great demand as a pianist in local concerts. He continued studying piano and organ throughout his high school years. Will wrote two secular songs which were published when he was 16, but his real love in music was for sacred hymns. He also wrote "Jesus Is All The World To Me" and "Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling".
After high school, Will was educated at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where he continued his music studies. After finishing school, he attended the Boston Conservatory of Music, one of the best music schools in America, and upon graduation, traveled to Leipzig, Germany, to further his studies in music.
Will once said, "No matter where I am, at home, in a hotel, at a music store, or traveling, if an idea or theme comes to me, that I deem worthy of a song, I jot it down in verse. In this way, I never lose it."
Will tried to get several commercial publishers to publish some of his hymns, but was turned down by everyone. He felt led to start his own publishing company, a move that changed the direction of his life. After the success of his publishing company, he opened a music store to sell pianos, organs and other musical instruments. He also sold sheet music, hymnbooks and religious tracts.
In 1909, Will decided to take his family on a vacation to Europe. While touring there, he became very ill, its cause unknown. The family cut short their travels and returned home to get medical attention. Unfortunately, Will did not recover and died a few weeks later.
May we keep this hymn in mind as we age and begin our journey home. May the Lord keep us from roaming and forgetting His many years of blessing to us. May He be our strength in the darkest hours. May He lead us gently home.
But then there are many others who have struggled on their final journey because of unexpected challenges they have faced. Physical problems in particular can make the journey tough.
So there is good reason for the prayer to lead me gently home. Believers have a Father who can keep us from temptation and give us wisdom and strength to face the unexpected challenges of our senior years.
I assume this truth must have been the motivation that led Will Thompson to pen these words.
All of Will's family were lovers of music. While just a boy, Will took a great interest in piano. Born with a natural musical talent, he was given piano lessons and at an early age became a great pianist. He was in great demand as a pianist in local concerts. He continued studying piano and organ throughout his high school years. Will wrote two secular songs which were published when he was 16, but his real love in music was for sacred hymns. He also wrote "Jesus Is All The World To Me" and "Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling".
After high school, Will was educated at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where he continued his music studies. After finishing school, he attended the Boston Conservatory of Music, one of the best music schools in America, and upon graduation, traveled to Leipzig, Germany, to further his studies in music.
Will once said, "No matter where I am, at home, in a hotel, at a music store, or traveling, if an idea or theme comes to me, that I deem worthy of a song, I jot it down in verse. In this way, I never lose it."
Will tried to get several commercial publishers to publish some of his hymns, but was turned down by everyone. He felt led to start his own publishing company, a move that changed the direction of his life. After the success of his publishing company, he opened a music store to sell pianos, organs and other musical instruments. He also sold sheet music, hymnbooks and religious tracts.
In 1909, Will decided to take his family on a vacation to Europe. While touring there, he became very ill, its cause unknown. The family cut short their travels and returned home to get medical attention. Unfortunately, Will did not recover and died a few weeks later.
May we keep this hymn in mind as we age and begin our journey home. May the Lord keep us from roaming and forgetting His many years of blessing to us. May He be our strength in the darkest hours. May He lead us gently home.
1 Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
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'lt only lead me, Father,
Lead me gently home.
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.
2 Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
In life's darkest hours, Father,
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.
Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home.
Listen to it here. HOME
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