“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18
As I was looking through the book “Then Sings My Soul” of hymns and stories, I came upon a song I loved singing as a youngster at my Long Beach Church, “Sunshine in My Soul.” I remember I would sing it loud and proud as I did many of the hymns. As with most songs in the hymnals, I had no idea of the backstory of what created it, so I thought I would share that story with you.
A man, Edmunds Rhoad, had decided to research his family tree. In the process, he discovered the diary that his great grandmother, Zeruiah Edmunds, started keeping at the age of nineteen which revealed a passionate love for Christ.
Zeruiah married James S. Hewitt, a young sailor who also kept a journal that tells of harrowing storms, shipwrecks, near escapes and an earnest faith. One entry, for example, tells of a voyage to China in which he was surrounded by “a rough irreligious body of men who paid no attention or any duty God on the Sabbath or on any other day.” James, deeply saddened, would slip off to quiet spots to read his Bible and pray.
It was into this Christian home that a daughter was born in 1851, in a house on Christian St. in Philadelphia. Little Eliza grew up in the nurture of the Lord. She was teenager during the Civil War, but she managed to concentrate on school well enough to graduate valedictorian of her class. She displayed an unusual love for children, and after further study she became a schoolteacher.
In 1887, while teaching at the Northern Home for Friendless Children, Eliza, 35, was struck by an unruly student. He slammed his slate across her, severely injuring her back. The doctor placed her in a heavy cast for six months, and Eliza was virtually immobile, perhaps wondering if she would ever walk again. When the cast was removed in early 1887, the doctor told her to take a short walk in nearby Fairmont Park. It was a warm spring day, and she was overcome with joy. Returning home, she picked up her pen and immediately wrote the hymn.
In picking this story, I felt we all could connect to it in a small way with our staying inside, social distancing and the inability to move about as much as we normally do.
Sunshine in My Soul
1. There is sunshine in my soul today, more glorious and bright than any earthly sky, for Jesus is my light.
2. There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King. And Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing.
3. There is springtime in my soul today, for when the Lord is near the dove of peace sings in my heart, the flowers of grace appear.
4. There is gladness in my soul today, and hope and praise and love. For blessings which He gives me now, for joys “laid up” above.
(chorus) O there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine, when the peaceful happy moments roll. When Jesus shows His smiling face, there is sunshine in my soul.
Loving God, during these continuing difficult times, may you surround all who are lonely and weary with your joy and peace. Help us to celebrate and continually praise you for the small and simple gifts that we are given each and every day. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
Brenda