The Way

I drove my car toward the hospital for what was supposed to be a somewhat routine check. Sure, I’d noticed something a little odd, but wasn’t worried about it. In the moment, I was simply frustrated that, due to construction at the hospital, the normal entrance was closed and I couldn’t figure out  how to navigate the traffic-filled one-way streets to get into the carpark. I began to sing the words,

“All the way my Savior leads me,

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life, has been my guide?

 Heavn’ly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith, in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.”

“Lord,” I prayed, “please help me get into this hospital so I can’t make it to my doctor’s appointment.”

After a few trials and errors and phoning a friend, I finally maneuvered the car into the parking garage and made my way to the doctor’s office. Two tests later, I was headed home to wait for the doctor to call with results either that afternoon or the next day. 

A little part of me knew something might be up. 

The next day I answered the phone and spoke to the doctor. Biopsy needed. Come in on Monday. So I looked up the words to the rest of the song and sang it to myself over the weekend.

“All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see.”

Biopsy

I went in on Monday for what I thought was the biopsy, but upon looking at the test results, the surgeon recommended removing a cyst to test for breast cancer. Those are not words I’m used to using when talking about my own health.

So our week turned into a flurry of activity we had not anticipated. Thanks to the wonderful doctors here, we had answers quickly and the biopsy did not show cancer. Now I’m simply recovering from surgery. 

I think of Fanny Crosby and as I sing the words, I’m thankful for the truth that she wrote:

“All the way my Savior leads me;

Oh, the fullness of His grace!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father’s blest embrace.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings it’s flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.”

We don’t know, when we wake up in the morning, what might be in store for us each day. But this we know, we are guided by a Savior who loves us. And to that I’ll sing,

“Wherever He leads, I’ll go.”

What about you?

Is there a hymn that has been on your mind lately?