Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Last summer, a remarkable matriarch from our Church Family completed the 104+ years of her life. In respect for Martha E. Glennie's enduring Christian faith, a capacity congregation attended her memorial service. Martha's family honored me by requesting that I sing her favorite hymn. Before the accompanist began playing Precious Lord, Take My Hand, I retold Martha's own personal narrative of close friendship with Jesus. Here it is...

In her mid-80's, Martha's Cardiologist informed her that a pacemaker was going to be essential for her ongoing heart health. The prospects of surgery at her age were a bit daunting for her and her caring doctor asked her about it. "Oh," she said, "The Lord has held my hand all the way so far, and He won't leave me now. There is one thing you can do for me." Aware of how significant mental outlook is for good surgical outcomes, the specialist responded quickly. "What can we do to help you feel safe?" Mrs. Glennie knew just what she needed. "I know your hands will be busy helping my heart," she said. "But, could you please have someone in the Operating Room hold my hand during the operation. "We'll try our best to have someone do that for you," the kind surgeon said.

Following the procedure, her attentive doctor came to report that the instrument's placement and electrical stimulation were just right. Relieved and grateful, Martha thought of another big Thank You welling up in her heart. "Doctor," she said, "I don't think I could have faced that procedure without the young man you assigned to hold my hand. His clasp was such an unusual combination of gentleness and strength! It meant so much to me that you remembered my request." A surge of sheepishness gave way to physician transparency. "Oh, Mrs. Glennie," he confessed, "I must tell you that every surgical tech on our team had an assigned function that day and every individual was needed to make your procedure's outcome so good. We simply had nobody available and I couldn't keep my promise to you." But, Martha knew someone with gentle strength had been with her in surgery that day! And she knew it was the same touch of God on her life which never left for over a century! That's why she had an easy choice for music in her memorial service.

The piano played and I sang of Martha's faith.

"Precious Lord, take my hand,

lead me on, help me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light;

Take my hand, precious Lord,

lead me home."

God offers you His hand, too!

"You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand supports me. Your gentleness makes me great." (Psalm 63:8)

Take hold now,

Dave