I have not written much in a while. We of course continue to think about Anna each day. Sometimes just to tell a story. Sometimes to laugh about something funny she did. Sometimes to cry together. One of my personal times to think about Anna continues to be during worship at church or in chapel at school. I continue to sing certain songs about Anna and to ponder the truth of the gospel as it continues to apply to one who is nearer the resurrection than I.
Here is the lyric for Abide With Me changed to reflect God’s truth as manifested in Anna’s life. The changes spoil the rhyme, but it is still beautiful.
Abide with Anna; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with her abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with her.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around she sees;
O Thou who changest not, abide with her.
Not a brief glance she begs, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with her.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with her.
Thou on her head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left her, oft as she left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with her.
She needs Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, her guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with her.
She fears no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
She triumphs still, if Thou abide with her.
Hold Thou Thy cross before her closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point her to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with her.
Anna Resurget 