EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

 

Recently I attended a funeral at a Catholic church. The song was in the green Breaking Bread 2019 Hymnal; I grew up in the Lutheran Church and we also had a green hymnal.

I smiled at the memory; it felt familiar, though it was a different green hymnal. I was not acquainted with the song but really liked it. I soon found myself singing robustly. I am not the best singer; sorry for those who must sit near me.

I claim the verse, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” Psalms 95:1-2, KJV

Please note, it says noise. Nowhere does it say harmonious, in tune or amazing; it says joyful noise.

My sister sings worse than me — I love you, R, but it is the truth. Once I shushed her to lower her voice in church. My husband gave me a look.

Later he said, “Robin, it is OK, she can sing.”

She doesn’t form words like you and I, so her singing is more of “Ahhh.” I was humbled. He was right. That is her song.

Shepard Me, Oh God by Marty Haugen (in the green hymnal):

“Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

“1) God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace.

“2) Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth, my spirit shall sing the music of your name.

“3) Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side, your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope.

“4) You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my power to hold.

“5) Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.”

Psalm 23 King James Version: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 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. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Singing with a joyful noise; Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

Robin (Beckman) Gudal, intentional in life, is a wife, momma, nana, friend, and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.