A Reflection for Lent, GBHEM Lenten series

March 10, 2025 | By Madeline Baugous

¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
² Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,  and we rejoiced.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
⁵ May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Psalm 126 (NRSV) 

On my first day of seminary, I attended a hymn sing. It was exactly one week since my parents and I unpacked into my new apartment far away from my home. This was the first time I lived more than 15 minutes from my childhood home. I was excited to begin my theological education, but I was also feeling lonely, anxious and worried.

I don’t remember the exact reason why I went to the hymn sing, but most likely it was because I knew I needed to make new friends and get out of my apartment. Students were invited to call out their favorite hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal. I will admit, I did not know many of the hymns we were singing. At my home church, rather than hymnals, lyrics were projected on screens and all the music included electric guitar. I felt out of my depth, wondering “Can I actually do this? I don’t even know hymns.”

Photo: Kevin Smith

At one point someone called out “437.” 437 in the hymnal is This is My Song. At first, I did not recognize the song, but as we began singing, I was instantly transported back to my home church in Lincoln, Nebraska. I realized we sang this hymn often at my church. I could see myself with my family worshipping together. Sure, as I sat in the chapel in seminary there were no electric guitars, but this was the hymn I knew and loved. In that moment, all my worries, anxieties melted away and I felt like God was saying, “you will find home here.”

I found my place in seminary. But I also found the need to return to the familiar hymns, prayers, practices and ground myself in them. When the world around swirls with uncertainty and fear, we each must be rooted and grounded in God’s love. We must be reminded that we will find home in unfamiliar and challenging times. So, consider what practices, prayers or rituals you need to ground yourself in God’s love. What will allow you to dream? To trust God will turn weeping into joy. What will ground you to have enough laughter and joy to fuel yourself for the challenging work ahead.

Right now, for me, it is remembering the lyrics of This is My Song and letting them guide my every step. “This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine.” May you return to the practices of your faith which keep you connected to the everlasting love of God.