Select Page

photo: Google Images

I am a poor, wayfarin’ stranger

While travelin’ through this worl’ below.

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

In that bright land to which I go.

 

I’m goin’ home to meet my Father;

I’m goin’ there, no more to roam.  

I am just goin’ over Jordan  

I am just goin’ over Home.

 

For some reason, when I read the word for today, TIRED, that song came to mind.

As a nurse, I work with patients in rehab who are tired in ways I have rarely experienced.

They are

  • sick
  • weary
  • burdened
  • worried… wondering if their lives will ever be the same again

They have

  • been seriously ill, often close to death
  • been chronically failing
  • had a stroke or
  • fallen and broken a bone

Many are nearing the end of their lives.

They are struggling with multiple losses.

They are weary strangers trudging through life

 

Yes, they often have families who love them, but because of

Depression, pride, dementia, fear, grief

They often feel like strangers, not only to their friends, but to their families.

They are bone tired.

For some, there is no fight left.

They have been fighting and feel they are on the losing side.

 

They just want to pack it all in.

Death is not a hopeful thing for them.

They just hope for an end to their misery.

They are at the end of the road.

They are tired of traveling.

 

The journey has been long and difficult.

Their destination?  A good place…they hope.

But many aren’t certain…at all.

Weary.  Tired.  Laboring.  Struggling.

Please let me just go to sleep and not wake up.

Not like the Stranger…who is going home to meet his Father…with joy and anticipation.

 

I found this final verse after STOP and wanted to add it in.  Don’t you love it?

 

I want to wear a crown of Glory

When I get Home to that good land.  

I want to shout salvation’s story

In concert with the Blood-Washed Band!

 

I’m goin’ there to meet my Savior  

To sing His praise forevermore.  

I am just goin’ over Jordan.  

I am just goin’ over Home.

Negro Spiritual

There will be more to come on this topic!

_______

I wrote this 12/2/11 when I was working as a nurse in rehab.  I loved the article so much, I didn’t even change it!  I know it seems like an odd topic for Christmas, but for many of you it fits in very well!  I have friends who have lost loved ones recently, are sitting with them as they die or are celebrating their first Christmas without them!  Christmas is a joyful time…most of the time.  But it can be very sad too.  The reminders in this song encourage all of us!  This is why Christ came!  Enjoy.

 If the term I used for “Negro Spiritual” isn’t the right one, please correct me.  It’s the only term I know and it is used with the ultimate respect for a body of music that I adore!

________

I forgot to put the rules in for the uninitiated Five Minute Friday user.  Here it is, as briefly as I can put it.

  • Write on given topic for 5 minutes.
  • No editing.  Well, I reread and make sure it makes sense.  Otherwise, what good would it do to write it?  I also check the spelling.  I hate typos or misspells.
  • I add in my links and photos and send it on its way.
  • Stop to encourage the person before you.  I am allowed to encourage anyone else I want as well.  That is one of the purposes of this exercise!