The Songs Mama Sang

Ephesians 1:7 — He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 

I can still smell the butter beans simmering on the stove.

And the pot roast browning in the kitchen.

Growing up in Tallulah, Louisiana, our kitchen wasn’t very big, but somehow, Mom always managed to fill it with the most wonderful smells.

And if she was making her famous rice and gravy, well, you could count on finding me somewhere nearby, waiting impatiently for supper.

But there was something else that filled that little kitchen.

Music.

You see, Mom loved to sing while she cooked.

And not just any songs.

She sang the old hymns.

“At the Cross.”

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

“The Old Rugged Cross.”

I can still hear her voice.

And isn’t it funny how a song can take you back?

All these years later, I can hear one of those hymns and suddenly I’m that little girl again, standing in Mom’s kitchen, waiting for supper.

But lately, something has changed.

I’m listening to those songs differently.

Especially the ones about the Cross.

You know, I’ve known about Jesus’ death and resurrection for as long as I can remember.

I’ve celebrated Easter.

I’ve heard the sermons.

I’ve sung the songs.

But lately, during my quiet time with God, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about what happened on that Cross.

Not just the familiar story.

But the reality of it.

Jesus.

The Son of God.

Suffering.

Bleeding.

Giving His life.

For me.

And sometimes, when I sit quietly and think about that, it almost takes my breath away.

Because the Cross wasn’t just something that happened a long time ago. It was the price of my freedom.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”

Think about those words.

Purchased our freedom.

Forgave our sins.

And not because we’d earned it.

Not because we’d somehow managed to be good enough.

But because God is so rich in kindness and grace.

You know, we talk a lot about generosity.

About giving what we have.

About making sacrifices for the people we love.

But when I think about the Cross, I realize that every act of love we offer is only a small reflection of the love Jesus has already shown us.

He didn’t give us something He could spare.

He gave Himself.

And through His sacrifice, He made a way for us to be forgiven, redeemed, and brought into a relationship with God.

That’s a gift we could never afford.

And one we could never repay.

But we can receive it.

We can live in gratitude for it.

And we can allow that love to change the way we love others.

I think that’s what has been stirring in my heart lately.

The more I understand what Jesus gave for me, the more I want my own life to reflect His love.

Not because I’m trying to earn His approval.

But because I’ve already been given more grace than I could ever deserve.

And now, when I hear those old hymns, I hear something I didn’t fully understand as a little girl.

Back then, I heard Mama singing while she made supper.

Today, I hear her singing about the Savior who gave His life for mine.

About forgiveness.

About grace.

About a love so great that it went all the way to the Cross.

And suddenly, those familiar songs mean more than they ever have before.

So the next time you hear an old hymn about the Cross, don’t let it become just another familiar song.

Listen a little closer.

Think about what Jesus gave.

Think about what His sacrifice means for you.

And let your heart be filled with gratitude.

Because all those years ago, in that little kitchen in Tallulah, Mama wasn’t just singing hymns while she cooked supper.

She was singing about the greatest gift I would ever receive.

 

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A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Is there a hymn or worship song that brings back a special memory of someone who helped shape your faith?
• When you think about Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, what part of His love and grace moves you most deeply?
• Ephesians 1:7 says our freedom and forgiveness were purchased through Jesus’ blood. How does that change the way you view God’s grace?
• Have familiar Bible stories or worship songs ever taken on a deeper meaning during a particular season of your life?
• How can remembering what Jesus gave for you influence the way you love and serve others today?

QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY

Have I become so familiar with the story of the Cross that I’ve forgotten to stand in awe of what Jesus did for me?