Every Hour I Need Thee

As James would say, "This has been a long day, hasn't it?" Jude was in rare form today.  I don't know what is making him so cranky but I sure hope it passes soon.  The four of us ran errands today then Brad and James dropped Jude and I off so I could start dinner.  While I was in the kitchen cooking I was thinking how nice it was that Jude was playing so nicely and quietly by himself.  (Foreshadowing)  I turned to check on him and saw him sitting in the "big chair" as we call it pouring James' orange soda all over it.  I didn't know a pregnant girl could move that fast.  I was too late though.  The damage was done.  I tried to clean it but orange soda is really orange...and likes to stay that way.  Jude was so furious with me for moving him and taking away the orange soda can that he screamed at decibels my ears and brain couldn't process and grabbed a hold of my legs as if he wanted to take me down and do serious bodily harm.  He wouldn't let go.  Honestly, it sort of freaked me out a little bit.  He was like a possessed Chucky doll.  Only less nice.  And louder.

I hobbled to the kitchen to try to shake him loose but he was relentless.  Clearly the orange soda can had become his most prized possession ever and he was deeply offended and angry that I got rid of it.  He was screaming so loudly and I was getting a tad upset myself that all I could do was cover my ears and pray.  Fervently.

He paused for a millisecond to catch his breath and gear up for his next assault when the song on my iPod caught my attention.  I Need Thee Every Hour.  The Lord has impeccable timing...as well as a clever sense of humor I suppose. 

With Jude still attached to my legs and screaming, I struggled towards the phone to call 911 or CPS but called Brad instead.  Luckily he was just about to pull in.  He had the brilliant idea to take the cover off and wash it.  I did and thankfully it came out beautifully!  Who knew?

After Brad calmed everyone down, rescued the cushion cover, and made sure I was sane enough to watch the boys for a few more minutes so he could finish up his errands, he left me...alone with the children.  He really has too much faith in me.  James asked me to put on Cars for them and I was happy to so I could try to finish cooking dinner.  As I was putting it on, James kept trying to get Jude to apologize to me.  "Jude, apologize to Mommy!  Jude, say you're sorry to Mommy!!!  Jude!!!!  Apologize!!!!"  Clearly the kid gets the value of a well-timed mea culpa.  Jude does not.  I turned around and winked at James to show my appreciation and he said, "Mom, I'm sorry for Jude for spilling my soda."  Good enough.

Unfortunately Jude's tirade didn't end there.  He waged a war with James' shoe.  He wanted to wear it but it didn't want to be worn.

 

(I took this video to show my Mom how Jude was acting at the moment)

This is the same tenacity and intensity that keep my little Judie Bug strong and undaunted for all he has to deal with health-wise...the other side of the same coin.  The Lord made Jude this way.  He does not back down.  He holds fast.  Literally.  This little boy will be something great when he is all grown up.  He will not take no for an answer.  And although that is challenging at times...it is one of the many things I love the most about him.

I listened to that hymn several more times throughout the evening and was thankful for the well-timed message.  I Need Thee Every Hour was written in 1872 by Annie S. Hawks, a mother and wife not much older at the time than I am now.  I wonder what was going on in her home and mind when the Lord spoke these words to her heart.  She said it was in an hour of sweet serenity and peace.  So she may not have had a tenacious little 17 month old clinging to her legs screaming his lungs out while dinner burned on the stove but 140 years later her words would restore peace and serenity to another wife and mother.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

 I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

 I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

 I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Annie S. Hawks