A church in Atlanta honored one of its retired senior pastors. He was 92 at that time and they asked him to share a word. After a warm welcome, he rose from his chair and walked slowly, with great effort to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....
"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials... The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me... The only thing that would comfort was this verse.........
"Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but He is strong.....
Yes, Jesus loves me.... The Bible tells me so."
The old pastor stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best." "Here is a senior’s version of Jesus Loves Me":
Jesus loves me, this I know, Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim, Still He bids me trust in Him.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow, With my hand in His I'll go On through life, let come what may, He'll be there to lead the way.
When the nights are dark and long, In my heart He puts a song.. Telling me in words so clear, "Have no fear, for I am near."
When my work on earth is done, And life's victories have been won. He will take me home above, Then I'll understand His love.