My Father’s World

It has been a while since my fingers touched my keyboard, but today there is too much beauty surrounding me to do anything else. My heart is overflowing! A very real and sweet presence has settled here in this place; here in “My Father’s World.”

Right now, in the midst of this little flower garden, my ears are listening to creation speak and my eyes are seeing the beauty of God’s creation. In the grandness of this moment, I can’t help but think of that old hymn, “This is My Father’s World.”

“This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and sees;
His hand the wonders wrought.”

Maltbie Davenport Babcock, a Presbyterian minister, wrote the words to “This is My Father’s World” back in 1901. Over one hundred years later these words still speak, they still hold true!

“This is my Father’s world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world,
He shines in all that’s fair;
In rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.”

Most all of us have those times when it isn’t always easy to be still enough to hear the gifts that are surrounding us. Somedays it is a difficult battle! It isn’t always easy to look past the obstacles. However, when we realize our God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, it gives a comforting peace that allows our hearts to override today’s chaos and see the gifts He has already placed before us.

“This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!”

Written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock (August 3, 1858 – May 18, 1901) 
Music was added in 1915 by Franklin L. Sheppard, after Rev. Babcock’s death.