My Soul has Rest

October 8th, 2012

This song was written with deepest love for my husband’s sweet Grandma Thelma. She was long a beacon of God’s light in the lives of all who were blessed to know her. Even now, I know she is looking down from her place at the foot of God’s throne and loving all those she so faithfully nurtured here on earth… with her love, acceptance, faith, and prayers.

When our sweet Thelma passed away on May 28^th, 2012, she had finally found peace in the arms of Jesus after a long journey with cancer. Until the very end, it was a battle which few knew she was fighting. She believed that if it was His will, God could heal her. She had the most profound belief I’ve ever had the honor of witnessing.

Beyond her belief for her own sake, she had immense faith in what God was able to do in the lives of those she loved. Every morning, she filled the pages of prayer journals with God’s promises for His children’s lives. Countless times, she listed family names beside the promises and her specific prayers for each person she loved.

Some of the answers to her prayers have yet to, perhaps, be seen. Only time will tell. However, I know for certain the great man I have the honor of calling my husband is one such answer to her prayers. She prayed for so long that he would find the love of Jesus.

Several weeks before her death, it had become apparent to all that she would soon be finding her eternal place at God’s side. Continually growing weaker, she refused turning away anyone who wanted to sit at her side and visit. I knew, already, those who loved her had started to mourn the impending loss of their dear one. Very late one night, I sat at my piano, begging God for His grace over sweet Thelma, asking Him to ease her pain, soothe her thirst, and give her peace. As I sat praying for her, I decided to write for awhile, wanting to put into words not only her testimony but also what I knew she would want others to know—especially in her last days.

In those hours, nearly unto dawn, “My Soul has Rest” was born. In the coming day, a hastily-recorded copy was sent to her. She was still able to hear and speak, and not a person could come in her door to which she wasn’t immediately saying, “Come; listen to the song my Chaney and Amy wrote for me.” It seems that little recording was played dozens of times in the weeks remaining until her death.

The night she passed away, her sweet family was around her, by God’s grace; it had become clear that she would soon be “going home.” One of her daughters offered a prayer so beautiful, it could only come from the Spirit’s intercession for all of their sakes. Thelma’s family played the song one last time for her, as her breathing became softer. As the lyrics finished and the song’s last notes drew to a close, she quietly breathed her last, going home to the Savior she so loved.

“My Soul has Rest” is a testimony to her great faith – in her God, her relationship with Him, and all that she knew He could do in and through those yielded to His heart. It is her legacy left by the way she lived here on earth, as well as a testament of the life she will enjoy for all eternity in Heaven.

In gratitude to our loving God for letting us hold her for awhile here,

This song is dedicated in dearest memory of our precious Thelma. “Rest sweetly in His presence there, my dear sister, and save me a place beside you to worship at His feet.”

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of saints.” -Psalm 116:15 ESV
“For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon You I have leaned from before my birth; You are He Who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of You… O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.” -Psalm 71:5-6, 17-18

My Soul has Rest

I have reached to touch His hem; I have leaned to lean on Him,
And I’ve heard the voice that calmed the sea
Breathe His peace over me. My soul—it is well,
But it isn’t just a wish; my whole life’s been made of this,
Of this faith to move the mountains wide,
To entrust this life to the One Who bought it with His blood.

And my soul has rest, and my heart is blessed,
And my spirit is free, for my Savior I have seen…
Not just a glance, not just a dream,
Not just a story as it may seem,
But a whole life, knowing Jesus was beside me.

Now, tears may have their day, but don’t let the sorrows stay,
For I’ll walk where tears will not oppress
My place of rest… my reward, forevermore.
God never failed me yet, and His goodness I’ll not forget.
May my life remain my testament
Of my love for Him and of the truth that He has loved me, too.

From my youth God has guided; He has held me safe,
And He will not forsake me, when I’m old and gray
‘Til I tell of His power to those yet to come.
I will not doubt His love! Oh, let His will be done!

Won’t you listen to this truth?
A whole life, knowing Jesus is beside you…

Pierson and his great-grandma Thelma, just before God brought her home…

My Soul has Rest

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