When I was a child of five living in a frightening home
I would run down to the farmer’s field in the early morning,
to see the traveling Sunday school where the choir would sing
this happy song for little ones like me, beaten black and blue
by a step father that was drunk, not knowing what he did to me.

"Joy joy joy! An angel smile we see
as we sing this little song- Joy joy joy,
his love to me is known, my sins are all forgiven,
I'm on my way to heaven, my heart is bubbling over
with this joy joy joy".

Then one day my father embarrassed me when he found me in the tent-
Sitting on a chair singing with the choir who loved to have me there.
He started hitting me and swearing - “You will never come here again”.
But Dad- “It’s only Sunday school”. Another slap till I lay on the floor
not remembering how or who, saved me from another bruise upon my back.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
Where the things on earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.

Years later I still hold onto the faith that I found in that tent,
with words that I remember in bits and pieces, which comfort me
when the dreams return to haunt me-“The days I wish I could forget”.
Today-I teach Sunday school, where I see many little children from broken homes
with sadness in their eyes, like me when I was a child – "So I pray to comfort them".

I found a friend, O such a friend, so kind and true and tender
So wise a guide, so mighty a defender.
From him who loves me now so well
I am his and he is mine
To rest with him forever.

My step father now drinks from the salvation cup, his eyes so wide and new-
For he has found his Savior sitting with me in the pew next to the choir chair,
that is now the altar chair in the new church we built in the farmers field.
The traveling Sunday school tent, now broken and torn
lies in the barn, a reminder of when I was five and afraid,
not knowing why I had to endure such pain.

What a friend I have in Jesus
For my pain and sin to bear
As he carries me home
On the wings of prayers.

My saving grace on Easter day! -
"Christ has risen to the the glory of another day".