"Just When I Need Him"

For those of you who don't know, my brother and I grew up in the most wonderful Christian family.  Our parents, who had graduated from high school during the depression and served in World War II, were older than the norm.  I think these experiences made them wise, loving, Christ-like examples for us.  They loved their church and we participated in every service.

My favorite part of worship was singing hymns.  In the recent decades when the "old hymns" have been replaced by contemporary choruses, I have really missed the joy of singing them.  Somehow, holding a hymnal makes me feel like I am ready to really worship.  My memory fades on so many of the Scriptures I learned through the years, but just get me started and I can sing the entire Broadman Hymnal by memory!

Last Wednesday while sitting in the surgery waiting room at Vanderbilt Hospital I was becoming more anxious as the time passed.  Suddenly a hymn sprung from my heart "Just When I Need Him Most, Jesus is Near".  I haven't sung or thought those words in ages but my Savior knew just the way to comfort me and still my anxious heart.  So during the surgery pre-op and all the recovery, I have been praising him for reminding me:

"Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, he is my all,
Answering when upon Him I call;
Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
Just when I need Him most.