In the twilight of sleep and the dawning of wakefulness, I could hear my Uncle Gene Mason sing what once seemed his personal anthem. “How sweet it is to be loved by GOD!”

Uncle didn’t have a unique warble in his singing, more a unique cascade of notes. Notes that did not seem to have a logical order. But I loved every cracked and off note that flowed from the volume of his powerful voice.

Unbidden my little head would begin to rock in harmony with his singing. Soon the rocking would encompass my entire body. And when I learned the words or a facsimile of the words, I would background in chorus with the answering congregation. “How sweet it is! badoma dom dom! To be loved, by GOD!”

This morning while laying a personal practice before the Lord, I reached this conclusion. Things of discomfort often flow from my own inadequate living. The failure I was experiencing arose from my own desire. Arose from my own tendency to reserve some control for myself.

But my fellowship and my greatest relationship is with the Creator of all things. The Creator of all life. Why in all that makes sense in this World, don’t I submit all my living to His care? How insignificant my struggle, when I live knowing that GOD is in control? “Oh, what needless pains I bear!”

The joy found in the measurement and judgment of GOD’s Word for me! Such abundance of life! I find no where the comfort in my discomfort that I find in the Lord!

Whom do you know who is capable of such love and restoration amid chastisement! Who do you know who is capable of a smackdown while He lifts you up? I want to be found always, with a soul that panteth after GOD.

I will love the Lord, as much as I know too, with a measure of the love He has for me. I need that because living successfully requires that. I pursue that love because GOD alone is worthy!

(KJV: Psalms 42:1, Hebrews 12:5-8, that entire chapter is won-der-ful, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Joseph M. Scriven 1855, How Sweet it is to be Loved by GOD, Cleophus Robinson, 1965, Badoma dom dom = musical accompaniment)