This is My Father's World

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Impeccable timing has eluded me my entire life. Last week marks 13 years since my dad died, next month is Father’s Day, he would have been 97 in March, yet I choose to reminisce about him this week.

Dad loved his Lord and his family and his church but his perfect world would have consisted in worshiping his Lord in a church service with his loved ones outdoors. He loved the natural world and even said he sometimes wanted to just hug a tree although I never saw him do it.

This song, although I don’t know it to have been his absolute favorite, always makes me think of him.

This is my Father's world,

            and to my listening ears

            all nature sings, and round me rings

            the music of the spheres.  

            This is my Father's world: 

            I rest me in the thought

            of rocks and trees, 

            of skies and seas; 

            his hand the wonders wrought.

         

This is my Father's world,

 the birds their carols raise, 

            the morning light, 

            the lily white, 

            declare their maker's praise. 

            This is my Father's world: 

            he shines in all that's fair;

            in the rustling grass I hear him pass; 

            he speaks to me everywhere.

        This is my Father's world. 

            O let me ne'er forget

            that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

            God is the ruler yet. 

            This is my Father's world: 

            why should my heart be sad? 

            The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! 

            God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Lyrics by Maltbie Davenport Babcock