I Love When That Happens!

It has happened before. Bekah's copywork has captured my own thoughts, my own heart.

Yesterday, she copied a short poem by Charles Wesley from Copywork for Girls (published by Queen Homeschool Supplies). I had never read it before, but as I read the words Bekah had copied, I was moved by their power.

I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.

As I read this, I made it my prayer, and determined to print it and display it where it would be seen often. (That prominent place is the antique washboard in my bathroom. Don't laugh! Over the years, many poems and hymns have been memorized after a time on the washboard!)

Later in the day, while the girls and I were running errands, I popped in a CD, Classic Songs from the Hymnal, a birthday gift from my dear friend Jan. This is a two-disc set, and I had not yet listened to all of the songs on the second disc. We sang along to "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," and "Arise, My Soul, Arise," and "Redeemed." Then came a song that I didn't know.

What?! Did that say, "I want a principle within...?"

(Click back to the beginning of the song. Have Kati look at the CD case and tell me what this song is.)

Yes! Here was a song that I had never heard in my fifty years...and I encounter it twice in one day!

I felt like saying along with Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth."

Oh, may I hear—truly hear, not with the ear, but with the heart—this prayer that was prayed over two hundred years ago by a fellow pilgrim. And may I say "Amen."

Would you like to pray it too?

I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,

A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.

I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,

To catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.

From thee that I no more may stray, no more thy goodness grieve,

Grant me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.

Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make;

Awake my soul when sin is nigh, and keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love, to me thy power impart;

The mountain from my soul remove, the hardness from my heart.

O may the least omission pain my reawakened soul,

And drive me to that blood again, which makes the wounded whole.