Today's daily devotion

The Greatest Help

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.—PSALM 30:4 [NIV]

It was my turn to sit with Grandma so Grandpa could do his outside chores and run errands. I fluffed her pillows and smoothed her blanket. “Can I get you anything? A snack? A drink?” I asked.

“Just sit with me.”

“I want to help. Can’t I clean something? Or, cook something?”

“Sing to me,” she said in a whisper.

I’ve never been a good singer. There are those who say I sing notes no choir director has ever heard. At church I rarely sing loud enough for anyone but the Lord to hear me. “How about I turn the radio on instead?”

“No. Come sit next to me. I want you to sing.”

I took Grandma’s hand in mine. “What do want to hear?”

“‘How Great Thou Art.’”

Her favorite song. I began softly at first, “Oh, Lord my God.” My voice grew surprisingly strong. “When I in awesome wonder ….” The words brought comfort and help from our Lord. To both of us.

Our precious Lord, remind me that helping my loved one doesn’t always mean cleaning and fixing and doing. Sometimes, my simple presence is the greatest help of all.

Adapted from