Lullaby's and the Old Rugged Cross

I've been up since about 4:45 this morning and I'm just now working on my second cup of coffee. The early morning birds are singing in the sunrise and I am gearing up for the day. It's the Saturday before Good Friday and the market is going to be a mad house today. I am excited with the anticipation of the rush of customers.

I've logged into Face Book and Yahoo looking for word from Jake and sure enough I see him! He and his wife, Michelle, have found out they are going to have a little boy in August. Great news from a distant land...it does a Granna's heart good!

The song The Old Rugged Cross has been streaming though my mind all morning. It is the epitome of the perfect Easter song, don't you think? It really hammers home the message of salvation.

"On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain...so I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will CLING to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown."

It is one of the first hymns I learned to sing... not beautifully as I can't carry a tune in a bucket... but I knew all the words and as a new believer the words were so dear to me I couldn't help by sing it over and over, day after day.

It is the song I used to sing to Jake when he was fussy or sick, or just needed a little rocking before bedtime and at the news of the impending arrival of his son and the promise of rocking baby Erick Ivan and singing to him has given the song an even more dear meaning to this expectant grandmother.

How blessed we truly are... How good is our God? We cannot praise Him adequately for all He is... all He has done, still does, and will do for us... May we never be so blind that we not notice His presence in our lives... His activity in the world around us. May we never forget how sweet the salvation He has given us. May we look at that old rugged cross with eyes a fresh and a new... with the heart of a new believer... in awe and reverence.

I am Yours, O Lord, may I not be a disappointment to You today... May I see your wondrous works around me and remember to whisper a praise of thanks... may I recognize the opportunities you provide and instinctively act upon Your prompting.

What has you singing of the old rugged cross today?

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
 the emblem of suffering and shame;
 and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
 for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
 So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
 till my trophies at last I lay down;
 I will cling to the old rugged cross,
 and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
 has a wondrous attraction for me;
 for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
 to bear it to dark Calvary.
 (Refrain)

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
 a wondrous beauty I see,
 for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
 to pardon and sanctify me.
 (Refrain)

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
 its shame and reproach gladly bear;
 then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
 where his glory forever I'll share.
 (Refrain)