The hymn “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”, written by John C. Ylvisaker, describes a God who has been with us throughout our lives, from birth to death, and all the stages in between. Depending on how our journey has evolved, we have come to know God at different stages in our lives. Some of us have grown up from birth knowing God. Others come to know God later in life and some of us are still trying to know God.
The events of our lives can be challenging, joyful, tragic, peaceful, triumphant, overwhelming, rewarding and scary. How has God and the people He has brought into your life helped you travel through your life’s journey so far?
Read through the verses of this song and spend a few moments on the questions that have been interspersed into the verses. There is space allotted after the questions if you would like to jot down some notes.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.
Spend a few minutes thinking about the circumstances of your birth and your childhood. Who were the important people to you in your childhood? How would you describe your relationship with God as a child?
When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk ’till rising sun.
Spend a few minutes thinking about your life as a young adult. Who were (are) the important people to you in this phase of your life? What were (are/will be) some of the more significant events in this phase of your life? How would you describe your relationship with God as a young adult?
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
Spend a few minutes thinking about your life as an older adult. Who are (will be) the important people to you in this phase of your life? What were (are/will be) some of the more significant events in this phase of your life? How would you describe your relationship with God as an older adult? What work or goals are not yet completed?
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
Sit quietly and feel God sitting beside you, walking in step with you through every phase of your life, watching over you as a parent would watch a child, with pride and love at the person you have become or the person you are becoming. Know that God is with you at each stage of your life and know that God loves you.
Uniquely Cherished 