Monday morning, as I mentally went over our schedule for the next few days, I realized how happy and peaceful I felt. It occurred to me that people who know what’s going on in our lives now and for the past couple years might wonder why I’m so happy and at peace—in fact, I wonder about it myself. In the natural, it doesn’t make any sense.

This week our schedule looks like this:  

Monday – 1) an appointment with my ophthalmologist to find out how the vision in my right eye is doing since it was worse than before cataract surgery

     2) my first post op visit after another surgery last week;

Tueday    –   an appointment with my oncologist before having a Targeted Treatment which I will have every three weeks at the Hillman Cancer Center until the end of May

Wednesday – an appointment with my hairdresser to trim my hair which is growing back in extremely tight waves close to my head–except for my cowlick which is now very prominent!

Certainly nothing in that schedule accounts for my happy, peaceful feeling.

Just then, the first few bars of the intro to a song began playing on our Contemporary Christian Music television channel. I was running late getting ready for my doctor appointments, but the song called my name and I couldn’t walk away.

As I sat down in my recliner, tears begin to fall as they always do when I listen to this song by Ben Fuller. The words of the chorus resonated in my soul:

If I got Jesus
I‘ve got all that I could ever need
Take the world away from me
And I’ll be okay

If I got Jesus
There’s a hope that’s living deep inside
A joy that I could never hide
And a safe place to fall
If I got Jesus, I got it all…

And the second verse especially spoke to me:

I’ve seen weakness turn to strength
I’ve seen failures met with grace
And it’s not from what I’ve done, it’s Christ in me
A miracle I can’t explain
Oh, he’s given me his name
I’m the richest man that I could ever be

And the bridge:

Someday that trumpet’s gonna sound
And the King of Heaven will ride upon the clouds coming down
I’ll hit my knees, oh Lord, then sings my soul
I’m going home

If I got Jesus, I got it all…

And my tears are falling again as I type these words—these words say it all. My happy, peaceful feeling has nothing to do with my schedule and everything to do with Jesus. He is the source of my joy and contentment.

Absolutely I have days when I feel sad but no matter how sad I may feel, when I hear the words to the chorus of this song, my spirit and my soul agree with every word. If I’ve got Jesus, I got it all. I’m not ordinarily a big country music fan, and this song definitely has a country flavor, but there’s something about it that so moves me regardless of its style.

The words of this song remind me of the words to another old favorite of mine:

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

“Although American hymnals show Rhea Miller as the author of this song, Swedish sources attribute the original to Prince Oscar Bernadotte. In 1888 he relinquished his royal title and right to succession in order to marry a commoner who had influenced his religious beliefs. Afterward, he was active in Christian service.” (Internet Source)

This song shouts the same message as the first, If I got Jesus, I got it all.

Father, I say again as I’ve said so many times before, What would we do without Jesus? Thank you for sending your Son to enable us to remain steadfast, even joyful, through the difficulties life brings. Without Jesus, Paul’s command in Philippians 4:4 (Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!) would be impossible to carry out. Oh, God, thank you for Jesus! Amen.

So sorry I just realized I forgot to send out the emails through Mailchimp for this blog which should have gone out January 26! I posted it on Facebook, but forgot to have the email reminders sent out!