Devotion of the Day

My first reaction was to wonder when he learned the song that was being sung with the enthusiasm that can only be generated within the heart of a five year old.

KUMMM BY  YAAAAAA my Lord… KKKKKKKKKumn by YAAAAAAA

My immediate reaction was to think ill thoughts of whoever taught him that camp song!  And I thought of all who mocked the song, at first agreeing with them in my mind.  Especially as I heard my five year old – feeling much better after two days of being sick, sing it with all of his might. (and if you know him…. well – you can picture this.)

I eventually thought back to my youth, to when the song was actually popular and not mocked, and I remembered the translation of the song.  Someone’s singing/crying/working/praying LORD BE WITH US. ( or literally Come by hear!)

As I thought of these words, it became apparent to me, this simple song, once written by a simple people who knew desperation, who knew anxiety, who knew pain, is truly a very deep hymn – one of great comfort and deep spiritual truth.  For no matter the vocation, no matter the action, it is always appropriate to cling to the One who is here – to cry out to Him, asking Him to reveal Himself – for He is always here… always ready to respond always ready to care and bring mercy and peace.

Kumbaya –is simply another way of praying the Kyrie – another way of reaching out and realizing we were not alone..for He is with us.

May we cry out both, in sincerity and in recognition of our need, and may we know we have been heard….