Take My Hand

"Precious Lord, Take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am  worn;

Through the storm, Through the night, Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand Precious Lord, lead me home.


"Herman died this morning." I immediately started to  quietly, reverently hum "Precious Lord."
I also looked to the front pew where Herman always sat, with his hat lying in the empty half pew in front of him. Herman was one of the elders of the church. I was always quite humbled in his presence. Anytime I needed something, I knew I could ask Herman and he would grin at me, tease me, and ultimately help in any way he could.

I have no idea if Herman liked  the song, "Precious Lord " but every time we sang it, I would always watch him sing and think how he always seemed to me to follow the Lord through anything. I would watch him walk down the aisle after church, put his hat on, and take the ministry out to others. 

Herman had a stroke years ago and spent the last several years quietly living with his family. I went to visit him while he was in the nursing home, but only went to visit him at home twice in the last four years.  Herman did not respond to me that first visit at home, but he  did acknowledge me that second time. I am remiss that I never went back to visit after that second time. Maybe I did not return because I was too busy or maybe it was because I did not want to ever visit him again and have him not know me.    We should all be so lucky to be known by someone like Herman.

Herman helped me with the last Confirmation ceremony at Kirby and it is fitting that I am preparing for a large confirmation retreat right now. That last lyric of Precious Lord, "At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand," reminds me that that kind, compassionate man still guides me.