“A Hymn for Courtney” (a new hymn by Linda Savelle)

Every once in a while someone shows me a hymn, and my reaction is, “we have to sing this next week.” Usually I let that excitement subside, and wait to find a place for it.

This time, however, I’m rolling with the Spirit.

Linda Savelle pulled me aside last Sunday and showed me a text she wrote in honor of Courtney. First, I want to applaud her not just for writing, but also for the bravery of putting it out there. Of course it helps that she is really talented, and the text is gorgeous, but I hope that any of you would be willing to share if you wrote something.

I went home that evening and wrote it out to the tune she suggested, BUNESSAN (Morning has Broken), of course is scanned perfectly. Linda’s first stanza is a statement of faith, that then reminds us that faith needs feet. The second stanza uses one of my favorite devices, reminding us of how traits of God are reflected in God’s people- mentor, teacher, instructor. My favorite phrase is in the third stanza, as God's grace and love keep buoy our faith as we move: “God’s grace sustaining, love never waning.”

I hope you enjoy singing, God is My Sunlight, also known as, A Hymn for Courtney, this Sunday.