{Timeless}

I slid into a pew at church, next to the old man in the polyester suit.  He smiled welcomingly at me, and smelled of peppermints as he greeted me hello.  His aging wife sat on his other side, balancing heavily on her cane for support.  

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The music started, contemporary as always, although louder than usual.  The gentleman next to me tried his best to keep up with the songs, and honestly seemed to do a better job than I did.   I found my mind wandering a bit, wondering about this couple next to me.  They seemed familiar with the church, although I hadn’t seen them before.  It is a large place, but there are few older couples there so I thought I would have noticed.  It was a pleasant sight just the same.  

They sat at rapt attention during the whole message.  Then the prayer, and onto the closing song.  Usually it is another chorus, or a repeat of one we have sung earlier.  Today it was a hymn, written in 1872, and just as poignant as ever.  

And the man in the polyester suit?  

The voice I heard next to me came as a surprise.  This tune might have been a bit faster than when he had first learned it years ago, perhaps as a young boy, but the lyrics were just as timeless.  As I heard his voice, I imagined him in a plaid vest and alongside a Barber Shop Quartet.  His pitch was dead-on, and his vibrato was lovely.   He sang, and slowly swayed, his voice reaching above the sounds of the keyboard, violin, and guitar.   I had to wonder if this song had seen him through many trials in his long life, yet in that moment I was glad to just sit back and listen.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain; 

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

It was as if that song was played just for him that morning.   

Or maybe it was for both of us.

But whoever it was for….it was timeless.

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