Safe is the Five Minute Friday prompt word for this week. What does it take to make us feel safe in our everyday lives? In who or what do we put our trust? What does it actually mean to be safe? These are questions I think most of us have, and we all seek to find the answers.
One of the first things that came to mind with the prompt was an old hymn I remember from childhood. It is called “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” and was written by Fanny Crosby. You can click on the link above to read all the words. Here is the chorus:
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
When I looked up the lyrics I found some interesting information about Fanny Crosby. One is that she was the first woman to be heard in our government’s Senate chambers when she read aloud one of her poems. Even though she was blind she did not let that stop her from getting a good education. She even became a teacher in the school for the blind that she attended.
Trust Triumphs Over Fear
What if she had been too afraid to try new things?
What if her parents had been over protective, because they wanted to try to keep her safe?
We can try all we want to prevent accidents and live safely, but we are not really in control. Fanny Crosby kept going in spite of any fears she may have had. I’m sure she must have put her trust in God to see her through. She penned many of the hymns that people still love today.
I want to always put my trust in God, but I know I am weak and will sometimes let fear creep in. It is a comfort to me to know that God knows my weakness, yet still loves me and promises to be with ever me.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
I’m linking up with #FiveMinuteFriday
Hi there,
So glad to meet you. I feel the same way and I have researched Fanny Crosby before as well. I was given a book on old hymns and I love to see the faithfulness of believers that have gone before us.
Following you at Five minute Fridays,
Blessings,
Janis
Hi Janis! Thanks for visiting today. I, too, love the see the faithfulness of believers who have gone before. It is encouraging to know we are not alone.
Blessings to you! Have a great weekend.
Loved this. Such a good perspective on what we sometimes thinks might be keeping us safe really might just be holding us back from what we can actually do!
Thanks, Amanda! It’s true. So many times I’ve probably held back because of fear rather than trying something new. The past few years I’ve been trying to change that!
Blessings to you!
Beautiful Psalm. Thank you for sharing this great perspective on safe. – Lori, visiting from FMF
Thanks for visiting, Lori! Yes, I love that Psalm.
Blessings to you and have a great weekend!
Me too! I want to trust God no matter how dark it seems even though my physical eyes can see. Great job!
Thanks, Karen! It’s hard to trust sometimes, but then I remember what God has done in the past and I know He is faithful. I can trust Him no matter what.
Blessings to you! Have a great weekend!
The stories behind many of the hymns and the people who wrote them is, more often than not, inspiring. It is indeed a comfort to me to know that God knows my weakness, yet still loves me and promises to be with even me. Joining you from Five Minute Friday
Thanks for visiting, Debbie! I agree about the stories behind the hymns. And yes, I’m so glad God loves us always.
Blessings to you!
Gayl, love how you pulled the concepts of safety and adventure together in a beautiful way describing the life of Fanny Crosby. Wanting to be safe can keep us from the adventure we are called to.
Thanks, Christina! We really do need to be willing to step out when God calls us to whatever adventure it may be and trust Him with our fear.
Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl, Thank you for these encouraging words as I pray over our new little Granddaughter! That passage from Psalm 28 is actually one of the Psalms God gave me for her as I was praying over her Delivery just a few weeks ago. And how beautiful to be thinking of Fanny Crosby, and the JOY that she brought to so many people. The plans of God are held SAFE in His heart for His children! Have a Blessed Weekend my Friend! xo
Bettie, I do love that Psalm, too. I’m sure you are enjoying your beautiful new granddaughter. 🙂 I got to spend a lot of time with mine this week.
Fanny Crosby was quite a lady and composed so many hymns and poems that are so loved by many.
We are definitely safe in the hands of God along with His plans for us. Thanks for your encouragement, Bettie. Many blessings to you, dear friend! xoxo
So cool to learn about Fanny Crosby. This song popped up in my mind as I read several posts this afternoon.
Yes, I learned new things about her. It’s a comforting song, isn’t it?
Blessings to you, Tara!
“We can try all we want to prevent accidents and live safely, but we are not really in control.” – So incredibly true, as much as we’d all like to think otherwise. God is the one in control, ultimately. I’m finding as I look back at my life more and more that the moments where I was so concerned with playing it safe are the times when my faith has stagnated and I’ve not grown at all. What’s the point of being safe if nothing else comes of it?
Stopping by your blog today from the #fiveminutefriday community, and returning the visit you made to my blog. 🙂
Thanks for visiting, Cat! I know what you mean. And it’s true that there’s not much point in being “safe” if nothing ever comes of it. I think God has called us to a life of adventure when we are sensitive to His leading. He wants us to trust and follow Him and he will be with us.
Blessings to you!
I’ve always loved Fanny Crosby’s hymns. Many of them are dear to my heart. And, so true, what an inspiration to not give up.
Me, too, Mandy. She is quite an inspiration, isn’t she? Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings to you!
Gayl, these words: “It is a comfort to me to know that God knows my weakness, yet still loves me and promises to be with ever me” also describe what helps me to feel safe, because we can fully trust in God’s great Love and faithfulness! Fanny Crosby’s story is a beautiful lesson in faith and trust, knowing that despite her challenges and fears she is safe with God. And just think what wonderful, inspiring, poetic hymns we would have missed it she hadn’t overcome her fears! Have a blessed Sunday, dear sister/poet/friend. xo <3
Thank you, Joy, for your encouragement! That is also how I feel safe. Fanny Crosby really is an inspiration to keep going and trusting in God. Who knows what He may have in store for us if we just trust and obey His leading. 🙂
Blessings right back to you dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo