Beloved

At St. Andrew they like to use the word "beloved." As in, "beloved child of God." And I like it. It's a beautiful word. Sort of plummy and comfortable in the mouth.

So this word was making me smile the other day and I had this sudden memory of the role the word "beloved" had in my life. This is so ironic and wonderful.

When I used to sing at the Central Christian Church in Dallas, we used to sing an "altar call" style hymn at the end of each service. It was supposed to inspire people to come join the church.

One of the minister's favorite hymns was "Softly and Tenderly". It's an oldie but goodie:

Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary, come home.
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling.
Calling, "Oh sinner, come home."

You've probably already spotted the part I had a problem with. Well, being ornery, I rewrote it.

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling.
Calling, "Beloved, come home."

Here's another irony: St. Andrew's has a banner outside that reads: "Home Sweet Home".

*wink*