When God Sends a Hymn

I received a reply to one of our newsletter emails a few weeks ago that reminded me once again of God's providence and His detailed care for His children.

A reader shared that her family had recently returned to the United States after nearly a decade of missionary service in East Africa. The transition has been difficult, especially for her twelve-year-old son, who is grieving the loss of the place he considers home.

During this season, she began revisiting saved emails and happened to open one from Hymns Illustrated with the subject line, "Home, Sweet Home (Even Here)." The subject line came from the hymn Anywhere with Jesus, which concludes with the words, "Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home."

With her permission, I'd like to share part of what she wrote:

"I can't describe the absolute emotional night I had after reading the words to Anywhere With Jesus. You could never have known our grief and struggle....but God does. And this hymn that I had never heard before brought such balm to my soul. And I cannot wait to share these lyrics and the story behind them tomorrow when he wakes. And with my whole family. I am sure it will be on repeat as we walk through the pain of this season."

Stories like this remind me why God instructs His people to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sometimes a hymn learned in an ordinary season becomes exactly the truth we need in an unexpected one.

God knew this family would need the reminder that our true home is with Him. And in His kindness, He used a hymn written more than a century ago to bring comfort at just the right time.

What a gift that the truths we sing can stay with us long after the music ends—and that God often brings them back to mind when we need them most.

(Read more about the hymn "Anywhere with Jesus" here.)