I was reading a friend’s blog and praying for a very happy birthday for this sweet old friend, when I came across a link to Pink Saturday at the bottom of her post. So, since I absolutely love all things pink, I thought I’d check it out.
Well, I fell in love.
I loved its pink romantic pictures, and Emily Dickinson poetry.
I loved the name of this blog, “How Sweet the Sound.” It brought back such precious memories of my grandfather bellowing out this beautiful hymn in his deep bass voice in the little country church where I grew up, and which looked very much like this one.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.~John Newton
While I was searching for a picture reminiscent of this tiny church in which I worshipped my Savior as a child, so many memories that had been hiding just beneath the surface of my contemporary thoughts suddenly flooded my consciousness.
I remembered sitting every Sunday on those hard wooden pews.
All at once, I was a little girl stifling the giggles prompted by my brother and sister, and carefully trying not to crackle the bag of M&M’s my father bought for each of us every Sunday on the way to church.
Then I was a teenager swaying to the rhythm of that old hymn, “Trust and Obey,” with my sister.
Simultaneously, I was a very sick little girl and the minister was anointing me with oil, and asking God to heal me. How desperately I prayed then.
And then, younger still, I was barely six, twirling over the large heater vent in the social hall with my dress billowing.
Such wonderful memories I have of growing up in that country church with my family all around me. My relatives filled eighty percent of the pews. My ancestors worshipped there for years before me.
As I remember this country church of my childhood, I am overwhelmed with feelings of security and an assurance that I was so loved. I remember being filled with pride for being so solidly grounded in a family that loved the LORD, and I recall too, an overwhelming desire and yearning to live my life loving and serving this God I grew to know and love amidst its hallowed halls.
How fitting it is to share these wonderful childhood memories that bless me to this day on this Pink Saturday when blessings are shared.
Blessings ALL!
Awwww, Diane! Loved loved loved this post. I of course, have tears! I too remember so many of the similar memories (minus the m & M’s! Is that what you were giggling about? :0)
The air blowing out of the vent in the hall! Yes! The old pews! yes! The sweet sweet aura of the little old country church. My parents were married there, I accepted Jesus at the same altar.
Glad you discovered Pink Saturday…I love pink too!
Jillian recently posted..Celebrate!
Thanks, Jill. I thought you’d remember too. 🙂
That is an awesome post for Beverly and her Pink Saturday. She will be very pleased from your kind words.
LaVoice recently posted..Pink Saturday Special
Thank you, LaVoice!
God bless you!
Diane
Such an inspiring pink post!
My Pink Saturday post, have a great weekend!
chubskulit recently posted..Triple the Fun
Thank you!
What beautiful memories you have of your grandfather’s church. I LOVED this post. It made me remember my Grammy’s church. So beautiful. : )
Life with Kaishon recently posted..little spectacular moments
Thanks for your comment! What a blessing grandparents are to us!
Love that hymn!!
Here from Sunday Snapshot.
5ennie recently posted..I Wish I Was In Finland/Olisinpa Suomessa!
Thanks for stopping by, 5ennie! I love that hymn too!
I went to a little country church like the one pictured here when I was very, very young….sweet memories.
Martha recently posted..Sunday Snapshot~Photos on the wall make a difference
Sweet memories, indeed!
Diane, you have me in tears. Thank you so much for your kind words. You have made my day, and the joy you’ve shared will carry me for many days. Please come back and visit and “Pink” often.♥
Thank you for participating in this very special Pink Saturday. I hope your visitors will come over to comment and help us to raise more money for the next Miracle Makeover. The good news is that you can leave a comment each day through the 18th, and each comment earns $1.00. So, please come comment again and again.
Beverly recently posted..Ragtime Blues On Blue Monday
Thank you, Beverly!
How lovely!
What a blessing to be raised in such an incredibly special church 🙂
Stefanie recently posted..settling in
A blessing indeed!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
So glad to find a sister in Christ on the Pink Saturday. Well here on Wednesday actually 😀 God bless you and keep you and make HIS face shine upon you and give you HIS peace.
Diane, a lovely post. The photo of the little church is so sweet and cozy. A reminder of simpler times. Thank you for sharing your heart’s memoirs.
Blessings for the day,
Marianne