Smiling in the Storm

In the home of my youth we had a warm tradition. Back in the 1940’s a traveling evangelist names Sykes wrote a children’s chorus. It was based on a simple couplet lifted from a hymn by John Newton. Newton was a sailor before is was converted. It’s sort of a sailing song. I don’t know where my parents first learned it but they taught it to us and it is an enduring memory.

We only sang the song when the mood was right. I don’t ever remember singing the song at church. It was a song we sang as a family when things were hard and dark storms blew into our lives. When we had received bad news or some difficulty was hanging over our heads someone would start the song. When we were feeling the weight of a set-back or difficulty we would sing the song. Sometimes when we were just wrestling with a bad mood over some irritation or hardship we would sing the song. No one would ever announce the song. After we had joined hands to pray around the table Mom or Dad would just begin to sing and everyone else would join in.

Sometimes we would sing joyfully and willingly. Sometimes we would sing choking back tears. Sometimes some of us could not sing until the second time through. By the time we had sung the little chorus a couple times we would pray… The happy little song would take the edge off our pain and point us to Christ, the Master of the Sea, who can calm the most violent storm with a simple command.

The chorus went like this:

With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm
Smile at the storm, Smile at the storm.
With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm
As we go sailing home.

Sailing, Sailing home.
Sailing, Sailing home.
With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm
As we go sailing home.

By the time we reached the little chorus usually the family would break into two or three parts and and end in smiling harmony.

Next time life takes a hard turn—join hands and sing that little chorus a few times. Jesus is the King and the Creator of the waves and winds of the sky and sea. If He is in your vessel, you are safe no matter how dark the night—no matter how threatening the storm. He can calm the storm or deliver you safe.

Is Christ in your vessel?

Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
June 24, 2014