Be Thou My Vision

I've been keeping a journal for years and years. Long before I ever considered writing a book or started a blog, I wrote in my journal. It's been therapeutic for me to look back on my journey through the pages of my journal. It reminds me just how far I've come, how time and time again God has saved me from the deep waters of sorrow, and page after page I've watched him restore and renew me with His great compassion.

My journal is a love story. He loves me, so I write about it. I love Him, so I write about it.

At the end of each journal entry, I typically sign off with the same simple expression.

'Be Thou My Vision'

I can't even tell you how it came about. It seems to me that this beloved hymn is one that will not escape me. I sing it around the house, I pray it as I drift off to sleep, and it's become my favorite ending to each journal posting.

This past week, during an intense day of writing, I came face to face with one of those moments. The one that leaves your jaw on the floor, exclaiming no way!

The story I'm writing is set in Northern Ireland. Since I have yet to physically travel to the country of my ancestors and home of my protagonist, I've done my best to immerse myself in the culture. One element that I have attempted to softly infuse into my story, is the spirit of music. On this particular day, my protagonist Honora {pronounced Ah-nora} is going through something really awful. She needed some inspiration so I began researching Irish hymns. Lo-and-behold, to my astonishment Be Thou My Vision is arguably the most famous Irish hymn.

Pretty cool? I know. This beautiful discovery has just been another slight nod, reminding me that I'm on the right path. Here is a modern rendition of the hymn from the popular Irish-Christian band Rend Collective Experiment. Enjoy!