Experienced a cool miracle tonight. A little background:
About a year ago, I was asked to do a musical number for Relief Society. I wanted to write a song based on the theme of the lesson which was a conference talk given by Sharon Eubank in 2017 called “Turn on your light”.
It was about the time that President Nelson had just given his “Hope of Israel” conference talk. I really felt inspired to write it and I was on fire in wanting to be a light and share my testimony.
Unfortunately, the song ended up sounding more like a youth anthem and less like a Relief Society song, and I worried that it was a little too “up-tempo” for the Relief Society lesson that was going to be given. I definitely felt inspired to write it though, so I went ahead and brought it to church along with another song I had written previously that was slower and sounded a little more “churchy”. I planned to just go by the spirit, and sing whichever one fit the mood of the lesson best.
That day however, the Bishop decided we needed a different lesson in Relief Society, and though I still expected that they would have me sing, I didn’t get to. I didn’t end up singing anything. It was a little confusing, and I wondered why I felt so inspired to write the song in the first place.
In June or July of this year, I was asked last minute if I could write a song for our Stake “Trek”. It’s an amazing spiritual experience for the youth where they reenact their pioneer heritage coming across the plains. Though I had offered previously to help write a song, there wasn’t much time to put something last minute together. As Kathryn started telling me what the theme was, the song I had written came right to mind.
“I think I might have already written it…” I hesitatingly told her. I had forgotten all about the song. I had even forgotten to post it on my free sheet music website. I looked through my papers and found it. It was perfect to go with the theme. Kathryn was finishing a song that she had written as well, and with just a couple weeks to teach it to the youth, we arranged the song practices.
It was neat hearing the song sung by this wonderful group of youth. It was definitely meant to be sung by them. I didn’t get to hear it performed at Trek, but I was told that the song was perfect for the theme and that it had been a good experience for the youth.
Tonight was a post – “trek” fireside. They had participants come and share their experiences and testimonies. Kathryn’s “Hope of Israel” song was the opening hymn and it perfectly set the mood for the fireside. I loved listening to each of the testimonies and hearing the other music that had been prepared. At the end, our Stake President shared some thoughts. He talked about the “Hope of Israel” message from President Nelson’s talk I had been inspired by. Following, was a video with fun pictures and videos from the Trek experience. They ended the video with President Nelson’s words encouraging the youth to shine their lights and to be modern day pioneers. It was the exact message that I had written the song for!
I had to hold back tears as I prepared to lead those same youth in singing the closing song that I had written – “This is our Day!”
I didn’t know why I had felt inspired to write this song, but God did. He had it all planned out before and exactly where and how it would fit in the program. I love being part of these kinds of miracles and I’m grateful for this group of youth that were willing to sing it!
This is our Day
In a world where sin runs freely It can feel like no one cares
Like the things you do don’t matter, they’re unaware
But if you could see things clearly how your worth’s beyond compare
You’d show your hope encouragement and faith
Cause you have a light that helps others on their way!
Chorus
This is our day!
This is our time!
This is the chance we have to shine
To share with the world the hope we feel that God is real
So stand and reach up!
Lift and be strong!
Help others know that they belong
With God as our strength we’ll be okay
This is our day!
We are good and we are faithful
Trying hard to live our faith
Though we struggle on our path along the way
But we face our opposition with knowledge others just can’t see
We have the faith that helps us to be strong
It’s a light we have and we need to turn it on!
Chorus
God gave us light to help us know the truth
And it’s with that light that we know what we can do!
Chorus
Copyright © 2019 Lindy Kerby
This is our Day
In a world where sin runs freely It can feel like no one cares
Like the things you do don’t matter, they’re unaware
But if you could see things clearly how your worth’s beyond compare
You’d show your hope encouragement and faith
Cause you have a light that helps others on their way!
Chorus
This is our day!
This is our time!
This is the chance we have to shine
To share with the world the hope we feel that God is real
So stand and reach up!
Lift and be strong!
Help others know that they belong
With God as our strength we’ll be okay
This is our day!
We are good and we are faithful
Trying hard to live our faith
Though we struggle on our path along the way
But we face our opposition with knowledge others just can’t see
We have the faith that helps us to be strong
It’s a light we have and we need to turn it on!
Chorus
God gave us light to help us know the truth
And it’s with that light that we know what we can do!
Chorus
Copyright © 2019 Lindy Kerby