Sometimes A Light Surprises

I don't know how to put the last weeks into words. They have been intense with end-of-summer activities and fall transitions. September is often a tough month for me. It is self-inflicted - this pressure to start a good school routine while scrubbing a tomato-splattered kitchen and making applesauce.

We've enjoyed many good times with friends and relatives these past weeks, including connecting with many of you readers at various events. It is humbling to know that so many are continue to pray for us. Thank you.

The uncertainties of Ed's health and the return of his headaches this past week has been hard, even when knowing this is a normal side affect to his radiation. We are adjusting his meds in hopes of improvement.



It is now sixteen months since his GBM diagnosis. Senator McCain's death was a reminder of how blessed we are to have Ed as an active part of our family life. But I still wish I could wake up and find this was all a bad dream.

Ed continues to work part time in the mornings and comes home for a nap in the afternoons. I've enjoyed having his help with making applesauce and canning tomatoes. One gift that cancer has given us is lots of extra hours together this summer.



A few months ago I was introduced to the hymn "Sometimes a Light Surprises." This week I was flipping through our hymnal looking for words of encouragement and found this hymn again. After reading a little bit about the author's life, it was obvious that he knew about God's provision during dark times of life.

Sometimes a Light Surprises
by William Cowper
Hymns of the Church #719

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in His wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it every new;
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let the unknown morrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe His people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed,
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the fields should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God, the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For while in Him confiding
I cannot but rejoice.

I looked for a recording online of this hymn so that you could hear the tune, but though I found many tunes, I didn't like any of the tunes as well as the one in Hymns of the Church.