Dear Orange Moon Friends

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

 

Saturday Songs - 49

 

"Close Your Eyes, Dear Ellie"

    

   We wrote the music for this song more than twenty years ago, with different lyrics and a different application.  We have never sung or recorded it, however, and now, the music seems to be a good vehicle for another application.

 

    After our puppy Ellie came to live with us several months ago, we had an experience when she became frightened and jumped into my arms to find safety.  She went to sleep there, which led me to write a devotional about the blessing (included below).  Several days later, our dear friend Larry Voas called and suggested we might consider putting the incident to music.  I thought it was a good idea, but didn't do anything about it until I remembered the piece of music written so long ago.  So here it is, "Close Your Eyes, Dear Ellie," and thanks for listening. And thanks, Larry!

Here's the link for the song, which you'll likely have to copy and past into your browser bar. If we include a hyperlink, we can't get through many of your SPAM filters. You'll also find the devotional mentioned if you scroll down. Thanks, Glen. https://app.box.com/file/707944118334?s=sfawvjug2kjg94dau4cd1r9i4txtznqs

 

Close your eyes dear Ellie and rest for awhile

As the long day grows weary, the moon starts to smile.

And the angels will keep you, for dear, you are blessed,

Close your eyes dear Ellie and rest.

 

As you sleep, dear Ellie, sweet dreams from above

Will descend from our Father to grace you with  love.

And the angels will keep you, for dear, you are blessed,

Close your eyes dear Ellie and rest.

 

In my arms, dear Ellie, you'll find a safe home.

I will hold you so closely, oh this you can know.

And the angels will keep you, for dear, you are blessed,

Close your eyes dear Ellie and rest.

Close your eyes, dear Ellie, and rest.

 

 

From May 27 

   

"To Rest In His Heart"  

    

   Several hours after writing yesterday's essay about training and building trust in our beagle puppy Ellie, a vivid example illustrated the point. We had service people with noisy equipment at the house, which terrified Ellie. She wandered from room to room, whining and obviously seeking to find a place to escape from the noise that frightened her. She found it, I am glad to say, in my arms. She came up to me and I picked her up and held her close. She continued to whine for a bit, and then finally settled down and went to sleep in my arms.

 

   "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation" (II Corinthians 1:3-4).

 

   Why does God comfort us? For the same reason I comforted Ellie, but infinitely more. He loves us and desires our hearts to know His peace and assurance. I thought about this as I held Ellie, pondering, "Who is the more blessed by this moment? Ellie or me?  I realized I was far more the recipient of the blessedness than my puppy. The more she quieted herself and let her body relax into my arms, the more I felt what I can only describe as joy. When I realized she had fallen asleep, I felt my own heart at peace. Another thought then occurred to me: this is at least a bit of what our Heavenly Father feels when we bring our hearts to Him for assurance. He must love to comfort us more than we desire to be c0mforted.

 

  He does, of course. We matter to "the God of all comfort" far more than we matter to ourselves. He keeps track of the number of hairs on our head, something few of us would do even if we could (Matthew 10:30). Our Father ever seeks to encourage us when we feel down or downtrodden. Like Ellie, however, we play a role in the matter. She came to me, seeking comfort and somehow knowing in her little heart she would find it in my arms. I'm so glad she did. We must do the same with our Father, bringing our hearts to Him, and finding Him far more reassuring than Ellie found me to be. We will also know how much He desires to be what we need Him to be as the great Friend of our hearts.

 

  Several hours after my time with Ellie, I conducted a funeral service for the mother of a dear friend. I had a new story to tell, and one that fit well into the occasion. I told the congregants that in the coming days of need for God's comfort, He would be there for them if only they would bring their hearts to rest in His heart. "He will love to comfort you more than you will love to be comforted."  I am so glad I was able to say that upon the authority of God's Word, and from the experience of rejoicing in the reassurance I was able to provide for a little beagle puppy whose trust blessed me more than my comfort blessed her.

 

"The Lord Jesus... said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

(Acts 20:35)

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

(Matthew 11:28-30)

 

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