I printed this in Facets (a parenting magazine I used to Produce) years ago – was given it by my sister from our Nanna close to the beginning of being a mum. I have loved it and have come back to it periodically as it expresses my hearts deepest desire and many years on, that desire remains paramount.
There is a line in it I now reject… it has always jagged me and now I understand why. I’m not going to tell you which line – see if you can pick it.
Beneath the Blood-stained Lintel
Beneath the blood-stained lintel I with my children stand;
A messenger of evil is passing through the land.
There is no other refuge from the destroyer’s face;
Beneath the blood-stained lintel shall be our hiding place.
The
Lamb of God has suffered, our sins and griefs He bore;
By faith the blood is sprinkled above our dwelling’s door.
The foe who seeks to enter doth fear that sacred sign;
Tonight the blood-stained lintel shall shelter me and mine.
My
Saviour, for my dear ones I claim Thy promise true.
The Lamb is “for the household” – the children’s Savior too.
On earth the little children once felt Thy touch divine;
Beneath the blood-stained lintel Thy blessing give to mine.
O
Thou who gave them, guard them, those wayward little feet,
The wilderness before them, the ills of life to meet.
My mother love is helpless, I trust them to Thy care!
Beneath the blood-stained lintel, oh, keep me ever there!
The
faith I rest upon Thee Thou will not disappoint;
With wisdom, Lord, to train them, my shrinking heart anoint.
Without my children, Father, I cannot see Thy face;
I plead the blood-stained lintel, Thy covenant of grace.
Oh,
wonderful Redeemer, Who suffered for our sake,
When o’er the guilty nations the judgment storm shall break,
With joy from that safe shelter may we then meet Thine eye,
Beneath the blood-stained lintel, my children, Lord, and I.
~Author unknown~
And the line that feels jagged to me? See if you can find it… it places a condition on God which we cannot in fact do. I love the poem but I reject that one line. I choose Him – regardless.