Uplifted by a Simple Hymn

I confess I am not a regular at my church each Sunday. Over the last year I have found myself going each Sunday for a month and then not going for the next two.

I'm not sure why I have slipped into this pattern.

My parents took my sisters and me to church every Sunday. I went to church during college (maybe not EVERY Sunday). When I moved away from home after school, I immediately found a church in my new town.

I feel better when I start my week off going to Mass. I suffer the crushing guilt most Catholics do when I do skip just because I can't seem to get myself out of bed on a Sunday morning.

However, I just haven't been able to find the motivation (or maybe inspiration) to get back in the pew regularly.

That was until this weekend. I went to Saturday evening Mass before a fundraiser at the church for my nephews' school. As I was sitting there with my hymnal in hand, the cantor announced that the board listing the numbers for the songs we would sing was wrong.

Instead of a hymn that I had never heard before, we were going to sing my all-time favorite hymn EVER.

The one that I continue to sing to myself for days after it's sung at church.


The one that I can sing because it doesn't have a lot of high notes.

The one that I think has a beautiful message, especially the chorus. It gives me goosebumps every time.

The one that inspires me to work at my faith more actively and go to church each weekend.

Which one is it? It's title is Here I am Lord. Have you heard it?

If not, I have included the lyrics below. If you want to hear it, just search for it on iTunes (or YouTube) for many different versions.

Here I am, Lord Hymn

I, the Lord of sea and sky, 

I have heard my people cry. 

All who dwell in dark and sin 

My hand will save. 

I who made the stars of night, 

I will make their darkness bright. 

Who will bear my light to them? 

Whom shall I send? 

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? 

I have heard You calling in the night. 

I will go, Lord, if You lead me. 

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, 

I have borne my people's pain. 

I have wept for love of them. 

They turn away. 

I will break their hearts of stone, 

Give them hearts for love alone. 

I will speak my Word to them. 

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if You lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I the Lord of wind and flame, 

I will tend the poor and lame. 

I will set a feast for them. 

My hand will save. 

Finest bread I will provide 

Till their hearts be satisfied. 

I will give my life to them. 

Whom shall I send? 

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? 

I have heard You calling in the night. 

I will go, Lord, if You lead me. 

I will hold your people in my heart.

lyrics from here