Play ‘Lowly Jesus’

Today at church we celebrated All Saints Day. Our church has a huge banner that people have added their deceased family and loved ones names to over time and it is on the alter each Sunday in November.

In 2017 we lost my grandmother (my mother’s mom), she was so much fun, loving, caring and the best grandmother someone could ask for. Often sitting by the piano at home or church she would ask me to play her favorite song, ‘Lowly Jesus’ as she would call it. I would gladly play her request each time. The joy that brought to her – I will never forget. I don’t know why this was her favorite song, not sure if it was just the great words, the music, tempo or maybe the way I played it? Looking back now, the song makes sense that even in times of sickness and death – Jesus knows about the struggles, He will guide us till the day is done.

This morning for our All Saints Day celebration, during Communion, I played her favorite song. I can still hear her saying ‘Play Lowly Jesus’. It brought tears of sadness and joy to remember her and celebrate that one day I will see her again.

The official title ‘No, Not One!’ written by Johnson Oatman in 1895 echos the refrain – There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus – No, not one! No, not one!.

Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus–
No, not one! no, not one!