MY FATHER'S WORLD

On our February vacation to the Mayan Riviera, I found great delight in slipping out of our air conditioned room in the early morning hours, where the warm, balmy, atmosphere wrapped around me in quietness before the day dawned. Each day the words of the following hymn drew me into worship as my senses were stimulated by the surrounding beauty. These are a few of the images that made my heart glad.

THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD

Maltbie D. Babcock ( 1901)

                                        

      " 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:

                  the battle is not done:

                   Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

and earth and Heav'n be one.

This is my Father's world,

dreaming, I see His face.

I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, 

'The Lord is in this place.' "