"Is This The Right Road Home?" By Elizabeth Drudge
I wrote this song in Nov. 1985, after a sad time in our congregation. A young man, Vernon Bauman, age 25, had been killed in a truck accident. John had preached the funeral message.
The following Sunday, as we were all grieving with the family, John had used these two stories as part of his sermon. The stories touched me, and I wrote this song. The one story is short enough to be included on the page below the song;
"A poor, homeless family was offered a home a way out in the counrty. The directions were easy; 'Take this road until you get to a place where the road is very, very rough. At the end of this rough road, is your home.' So the family stared out. Eventually they came to a stretch where the road was extremely rugged, but they rejoiced because now they knew it was the right road, and that they were almost home."
The second story John used that day, is an incident from the life of Jonathon and Rosalind Goforth, who were missionaries in China for many years. I will quote from an article written by Mrs. Goforth;
"True it is that 'God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.' In all of these thirty-six years of proving God's greatness in China in hard pioneer service, perhaps no incident that I can recall ever brought to me the sense of the close presence and His love and tender compassion for His children.
It was in the late winter of 1922. My husband and I had spent the winter leading a band of Chinese evangelists, men and women, through a region most terribly affected by the great famine of 1921. When we reached the out-station, I found myself struggling with a terrible cold which seemed to grip every part of my being. We found the place we were to live in was a vertiable ice house of a barn. A bitter north wind swept through dozens of holes in the roof and walls.The floor was of damp earth. Outside a misty rain kept falling. Then came, unexpectedly, three hungry missionary travellers, who left us with our supplies depleted.
After these friends departed, I felt a sense of deep depression. Too ill to go to the meeting, I paced the rough earthen floor, trying to keep warm and loging, oh! so intensely, for some place where I could get warm. As I paced as quickly as my strength would permit, I looked up and creied, "Oh, God, why, oh, why should I be called to bear such hardness when so many of my sisters know nothing of a life like this?"
Yes, that great "WHY?" seemed for a moment to eclipse everything else. Just then a man appeared at the door with a box and letter. It seemed that our friends who had just been with us, on reaching home, had their wives make up a box of fresh provisions. They had seen into our circumstances and had sent things to us at once.
As I began to unpack the box I took out a bottle of grape juice which was wrapped in an old torn paper. Tearing the paper off, I saw it was an old copy of "Life and Faith", five years old. I picked up a piece of paper, and my eyes were attracted by a little poem , and oh, the thrill of hope and joy and peace which came as I memorized the words as follows;
'Is this the right road home? The clouds are dark, the path is hard; I thought the way would brighter grow, and joyous songs from full hearts flow; Yes, child, the clouds were dark for Me; the path, not sight, but faith, can see. That at the end the sun shines bright, forever where there is no night, And glad hearts rest from earth's fierce fight; it is the right road home.'
This timely and blessed message lifted me out of hopelessness and into a place of sweet rest in God which carried me through the weeks that followed till we reached the main station, where loving hands nursed me back to health and strength." (end of quote)
In writing my song, called "Is This The Right Road Home?" I took this precious thought and enlarged on it and expanded it into more verses. It is touching to think that you and I, today, can be gripped by an incident in their lives, so many years ago, and so many miles away. Isn't God good! So, I praise the Lord, for weaving this thought through China, through to Canada, through John's sermon, through my feeble pen, into a song which has now touched the lives of many people.
"May I Lean A Bit Harder?" was written in memory of James Weber, who died on January 11, 1980, age 30. He had cancer for several years. He left his wife, Laurene, and 2 small daughters. This song continues to bring comfort to those who are facing trials. James was a cousin to Lena Martin, who wrote the words.
"Would We Truly Long For Heaven?" was written following the sudden passing of James Brubacher, who died at his home on Febuary 14, 1991, age 33, as the result of an aneurism of the aorta. He left his wife, Ruth, and two sons, Eric, age 7, and Thomas, age 3. I wrote this song to comfort my own sons, who often sang with James, a gifted singer. This song, arranged for male voices, has been a comfort to many.
"There's A Place For Broken Spirits"
"There's A Place For Broken Spirits" Carolyn Shantz was a delightful little girl, full of fun, and a joy in the home. Her sudden death, from injuries in a farm accident on June 3, 1981, at age 4, was heart breaking for her parents, Ray and Vera, and her two older brothers.
"Hand In Hand A Son And Father" tells the story of a son and father enjoying the glories of Heaven together, while a son and mother struggle on in this life without them. Murrel Bauman, age 25, was killed in a car accident on his way to work on October 4, 1989. Only a few short hours before the accident, vandals were cruising the country roads, and stole a stop sign at a country intersection in the darkness of night. That morning, a large truck loaded with field tile, approached the intersection. With no stop sign in place to stop him, he proceeded on through and hit Murrel. Murrel left behind his wife, Janice, and two little sons, Derrick, age 3 and Trevor, six months. Trevor died in a farm accident on November 24, 1990, age nineteen months.
"Lord God Of Israel" is a six page song, taken from the inspiring account of the dedication of Solomon's temple, when the Glory Of God filled the house. Many times we have felt the presence of God move down upon us as we have sung this stirring piece. It is a musically challenging piece, for all four parts; with a range of over two octaves.
Be blessed by singing "Today Jesus Lives!" and "In The Splendour Of The Sunrise" which are Easter songs. Be encouraged in your walk with God by singing "Jesus Has The Key" and "Light Up The Corner". Listen to the added beauty of the descant as you join in singing "Redeemed By The Blood Of My Crucified Lord." Even your children will enjoy singing about how "Jonah Went Down".
Echoes Of Triumph #3 contains 34 songs, in shaped notes, with four part harmony. To order , call Elizabeth Drudge at 519-291-2819
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