Crosby became one of the greatest hymnwriters of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. She wrote more than 8000 hymns, including such standards as “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine,” “I Am Thine O Lord,” “To God be the Glory,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” Like the biblical Psalms, her hymns penetrate our hearts, stir our spirits, and might even move us to get naked with our souls as they usher us into the throne room of God.

When I retired a few years back, after serving as the principal of one school for 15 years and in other leadership roles in the school system for a combination of more than four decades, I felt somewhat useless. Life, as I had known it for most of my adult existence, was suddenly no longer there. Had I made the wrong decision to retire? For decades, I had been writing a weekly inspirational message to my staff and sending a weekly voice mail message to my parent and student community each Sunday night, highlighting something positive from the preceding week and letting them know what to expect for the coming week. Now there was a void; I felt empty, as if life had begun to pass me by. I could see my past but not my future.

The words of one of Crosby’s hymns resonated deeply within my spirit: “Pass me not, O gentle Savior. Hear my humble cry. While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by… Let me at Thy throne of mercy, find a sweet relief; heal my wounded, broken spirit; save me by Thy grace.”  

Months later, I was led by the Holy Spirit to begin writing this weekly inspirational message to my ministry friends and colleagues, and later to initiate the 5:14 pm daily intercessory prayer for the sick. I was also invited to teach the Old and New Testaments at the Calvary Bible Institute. Moreover, Betty and I are developing a non-profit to address the needs of mentally traumatized youths. I may be aging and at times aching, but my usefulness in the Kingdom is still pulsating!

Because she did not see her blindness as an obstacle, Crosby did not have time to write and publish her life memoirs until she was 85. Then she lived and continued her work for nine more years! So what hand has life dealt you that looks like a barrier to your forward progress? The lesson from a blind woman is, change how you see it!

Focus Quote: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”                    

                                                  –1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)

Please click the link below to see how to obtain a copy of my book, Standing on the Promises: Defeating Fear and Breaking Barriers

 altonesumner.com – an inspiring motivational ministry.

                                                                   

Please continue to join us at 5:14 p.m. each day as we pause to pray. Please see the attached prayer list. Just wait and pray wherever you are. There is no call line or Zoom link that you need to remember or retrieve and connect to. Just connect to God and pray! I will also join you in prayer. There is power in agreement!