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
