In 1877 a baby boy was born in County Cork, Ireland. In the impoverished harbor village of Crosshaven, he was orphaned at a very young age. Education would be a luxury for such a lad, so he attended school (erratically) for only three years. Then, leaving behind the deprivations of an orphan, he ran off to sea as a cabin boy. It was not an auspicious beginning.

Our memory of him is a humbling experience – full of admiration for his determination to survive. He worked harder than we know, but in return he earned a bunk for sleeping and food for his plate.  How could he ever have imagined that a grandson and great-grandson would someday carry his name; that they would be educated in the schools of America; that they would enjoy opportunities beyond his wildest dreams.

To each generation – whatever our lot in life – the message is the same. We find Jesus’ words in Matthews 28:20, “surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Whatever our circumstance was yesterday, He was with us.
Whatever our circumstance is today, He is with us.
Whatever our circumstance may be tomorrow, He will be with us.

This unfathomable assurance brings to mind the beautiful words of a favorite hymn . . .

“Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
Swedish poem by Carl Boberg (1885), adapted by Stuart K. Hine (1899-1989).

How great is a God who loves you unconditionally to the very end of the age!

Judy