So, it's August 2, the first Sunday in August. Covid-19 is still riding loud and proud. California, where I live, opened up for a minute and then slammed shut again – churches, businesses, all gatherings – all as shut down today as they were when I began this series of videos in April. #quarantinelife is still in effect.
But we are still here. To me, a Christian, this is a cause to thank the Lord for His care and mercy, with joy – I am still here and able to do what I can from home.
All the way back in April, I began this series of Sunday morning songs and hymns with the hymn “God Will Take Care of You” in a quiet and solemn way … at the beginning of what we knew was going to be a long haul.
Since at least in my portion of the world we are back where we started in April, BUT WE ARE HERE. I can certainly testify to God's care with joy – so, behold a joyful remix of a fine old hymn!
“God Will Take Care of You” was written by Walter S. and Civilla D. Martin in 1904, out of an occasion when Mr. Martin had to trust in God to take care of his ill wife while he had to be away. In these prolonged days of social distancing, and the fact that we cannot even accompany our loved ones and friends to the hospital, this again becomes an issue for many – we have to trust God to take care of those we love and are separated from!
Mr. and Mrs. Martin's story has a happy ending, just as many people are actually experiencing recovery from Covid-19 (although that is not as well reported as it should be). Mr. Martin came home to find his wife recovering, and also found that she had written the poem that would become this hymn once Mr. Martin added the music! Mrs. Martin's suffering of illness and her husband suffering the anguish of not being able to care for her and both trusting God to care for each other has led to millions and millions of people being encouraged in their faith and delighting in the beauty of the Martins' testimony.
So, here we are, going through the Covid-19 saga with no end presently in sight – BUT WE ARE HERE. We have life, strength, some kind of shelter, some kind of computing device, and we have Hive! Although things are not and will not be as we wish they could be for a good while, there is still much for us to be joyfully grateful about, and that is the spirit behind my second take on this enduring hymn, combined with bright photos from Pixabay! Enjoy!
(And if you would like to hear version 1, here it is!)