A Child of the King

"Dearest Jesus, draw Thou near me, let Thy Spirit dwell with mine; open now my ear to hear Thee, take my heart and seal it Thine."

Thomas H. Kingo, 1699

"She sings that song all the time." To my remembrance, those were the words she said. My young mother continued, her proud voice echoing, conversing, "Andrea always goes around singing 'I'm a Child of the King.'" To whom she spoke, I do not know. My weak memory of early childhood does not serve me so well. But my four year old mind somehow absorbed my mother's words, and my heart had soaked in a song that has stayed with me decades. A song, a hymn of truth, words filled with the love of God, lyrics that yet cleave to my heart with lasting joy, their essence permeating sorrow, their melody piercing through the darkest of nights.

Each time I hear "A Child of the King," I am swept away by the love of God and deeply humbled by His care, His compassion, and His seeds of truth, planted in the depths of the soil of a simple four year old girl, who was not rich, not greatly talented, not from royal stock, not highly intelligent, not privileged in any particular way. Yet, through God's grace, the Holy Spirit created a love for Jesus in the heart of that small girl, who was amazed by a mighty King that claimed her as His own

I remember singing. But I much more recall the radiance that filled my soul when I sang. It was a child's voice of victory. I knew such hope. I felt so loved. I did not understand. But I felt the impact of God's presence each time the pure little hymn raised from my throat and passed through my lips.

That affection poured out early in my life took me through dark valleys and lifted me as I skimmed the rocks of high hills and walked heated desert plains. My parents were Christians. They took me to church each Sunday. They taught me truth. Reared me well. But the most loving, godly parents cannot protect their children from all the evil and heartbreak of the world.

I was shy, vulnerable, easily intimidated, very thin, and had a terrible overbite. Such qualities often invite persecution and abuse from other children. My case was no different. Teased, maligned, tortured, and sometimes physically attacked, I dealt with these torrents. I somehow felt no self-pity. My esteem suffered, but deep in my heart a seed had been planted. The love of the Savior reached my soul early and gave me strength to survive each tear.

The further pain of the loss of my father to cancer when I was twelve continued to challenge my life. Satan whispered words of darkness to a struggling adolescent, who had no idea who she was and didn't understand why she knew such sorrow. But still the song survived. It held me up through confusion and disillusion. Its cry raised hope and kept faith alive. Its truth rang higher in the rafters of my heart than the music of the world and the despair of loneliness.

And now, years, decades later, the song encourages me, for its words are a simple token of my eternal heritage. To be a child of the king is incomparable to the summation of the riches and kingdoms of this world. To be God's child, His daughter, is worth more than material matters, vast lands, or jeweled treasures. I would not exchange His song for all the gold records of this age. Nor would I trade His loving care for a famous title or an immense crown.

And, oh, that my love for Christ would grow! That my life would shadow that of Job, who proclaimed in much affliction, "I know my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth, and after my skin is destroyed, this I know; that in my flesh I shall see God" (19:25-26); and, yes, that my heart be one with Anne Graham Lotz who so passionately exclaims in every situation, "Just give me Jesus."

To be a child of the King. Is it enough for us? Is Jesus truly all we need? Is Christ's presence the cry of our hearts? Do we thirst for Him? Hunger for His word? Joy in His calling our name? If the Heavenly Father were to introduce you to someone today, He would say, "This is my daughter," and "Here is my son; they are precious in My sight, and each one is the apple of My eye."

Yes, you, dear friend, are a child of the King. A diamond in His heavenly treasure. You are rich. Bought with a priceless sacrifice. Redeemed by divine grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Chosen as an heir of God's kingdom.

And His eye has been on you from the beginning of time. Before you were formed in your mother's womb, God knew you. Before you were born, He sanctified you (Jeremiah 1:5). Delight in the depths of this knowledge. That you were ordained, planned, loved before time, watched, carried, delivered, and kept.

Father I pray for each precious one who reads here today. May your loving presence fill their hearts with peace in the reality of your faithful care for them. May we all grasp the fullness of this truth. May each one whisper or exclaim thanksgiving to you for your watchful eye. May all know your healing touch in their lives today. May each one sing, "Praise God, praise God; I'm a child of the King."

"A Child of the King" (Verse One and Chorus)

My Father is rich in houses and lands,

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,

His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King,

A child of the King;

With Jesus my Savior,

I'm a child of the King.

"A Child of the King," Words and Music by Hattie E. Buell and Rev. John R. Sumner

Sisterhood Award From Lidj of Crown of Beauty

I want to sincerely thank Lidj from Crown of Beauty for passing along a sisterhood award to me. I am deeply humbled by her thoughtfulness. Lidj has a beautiful blog. It is so full of God's love, and within minutes of visiting her place, you are raptured by her joy and dedication to her Lord. Lidj has a true servant's heart, one that is full of passion for Christ and compassion for others. Please visit her blogspot, http://mla-crownofglory.blogspot.com/. You will be enriched and blessed.

It is such a joy to part of the blogging world, as I have met many Christian women who give their time and talent to others. So, in choosing to whom I should pass along the award has been very strenuous for me. Everyone I have had the pleasure to meet is truly deserving. You are all dedicated to God, love Him with all your hearts, and serve Him with all your strength. You often give of yourselves through encouraging words and comments. And your kindness and thoughtfulness are known to many. I deeply appreciate your friendship and kinship during the short time I've been blogging. Thank you all for being dear sisters-in-Christ! And a special thank you to the following bloggers:

Deanna at http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/
Katherine at http://countryromantic.blogspot.com/

Kathleen at http://sassygranny.blogspot.com/

Kim at http://thevictorianparlor.blogspot.com/
Rebecca at http://www.rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com/

Saleslady371 at http://pileofsmiles.blogspot.com/

Sue at http://quiltmamasue.blogspot.com/