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June 3, 2011

Henderson: Rhonda Kaye’s Song

Dalton Daily Citizen

“Man did eat angels’ food” Psalm 78: 25

My family celebrated my 70th birthday this week. There was one very special family member who could not attend because the distance was too for her to travel. She is our daughter, Rhonda Kaye, who lived on the earth only 22 months with excruciating painful birth afflictions that kept her in endless nausiation. She has lived in heaven for 44 years. This devotional is in her honor.

Rhonda Kaye’s favorite song was “Be Still My Soul,” which was the theme song of a religious radio broadcast Monday-Friday nights. If she was in another part of the house, she would crawl as fast as possible, sit on the floor in front of our stereo listening to her song. If anyone made any noise, she would respond, “shhhhhhh” with her frail index finger to her lips.

Since Rhonda’s passing, “Be Still My Soul” always seems to come to us by radio, TV or some other musical outlet sometime during the week of our family’s special occasions (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, etc.).

And during times of unexpected crisis it also seems to come to us without our planning.

On the Tuesday night before my birthday on Wednesday, “Be still My Soul” came over our car radio while my wife and I traveled to Chattanooga’s Carrabba’s Italian restaurant. Had we left 15 minutes earlier or later, we would have missed her song.

As you read “Be Still My Soul,” please relate every word to her short-lived sufferings:

1. Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide, in every change, He faithful will remain. Be still my soul thy best — thy Heavenly Friend — through thorny ways lead to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul thy God doth undertake, to guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake — all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still my soul, the waves and winds still know,  His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3.  Be still, my soul, when dearest friends depart, and all is darkened  in the vale of tears. Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart — who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears. Be still, my soul, thy Jesus can repay, from His own fullness all He takes away.

4.  Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on, when we shall be forever with the Lord. When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone ..., sorrows forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still my soul, when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed We shall meet at last.

It won’t be long now, as it has been, Rhonda Kaye. We love you. Daddy, Mama, Sheri (Wheri), and Andrea (who never experienced you, because she was born after your passing).

The Rev. G. David Henderson is the pastor of Temple of the Lord at 611 S. Green St., Dalton. You can reach him at soulwinning4u@optilink.com. His column appears on Saturdays.







 

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