Through the years, music has played a major role in my life. Mother once told me she often knew when I was home from school because she could hear me through the kitchen window singing as I walked down our football field length driveway. She said my grandmother also heard me next door.
In all this time, only once have I every stood next to anyone and not be able to stay on key. Bob loved the Navy Hymn dearly but bless his soul, he could not carry a tune in an aircraft carrier. This army general always sang the hymn robustly to pay the Father back for not giving him the voice to sing this difficult tune.
On the flip side, Horace had a
wonderful voice and knew every word of the Navy Hymn by heart. For this navy
veteran, the Navy Hymn had a very real meaning. He talked of being below deck
when his ship was truly in peril on the sea.
After 9/11, our parish in Houston began to sing Navy Hymn every Sunday using an alternate set of words found in an
older hymnal. Horace was bothered because the original lyrics were so dear to
him. Finally, I told Horace to sing from his heart because no one else would
ever know. Afterwards, his closed eyes standing at attention told me Horace
was thanking the Father for saving him when he was in peril on the sea.
The second verse of these original
lyrics talks about Jesus and his dealing with the Sea of Galilee. As
fishermen, many of the disciples were all too familiar with peril on the sea
given the stormy conditions on this body of water. While Jesus found boat rides
relaxing enough to sleep (Matthew 8:23-27), these seasoned fishermen were really
scared until Jesus calmed the storm. If Jesus missed the boat, he simply
calmed the storm and walked on the water out to it (Matthew 14:22-33).
On my front door, is a decal
stating Freedom Isn't Free!
I keep the decal there because of a young man
who spent time in Afghanistan while serving in the military. He does not talk
about it but I do know he was in deadly peril at times. I want to thank all
veterans for serving in times of peril.
What do you do in times of peril?
Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(J. Wesley McComb is a published author and a member of Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 7th St, Slidell, 643-4531.)
© by The Slidell Independent newspaper; originally published on July 23, 2009. Used by permission of publisher and author.