One day a neighbor of Fanny Crosby complained, “If I had wealth I would be able to do just what I wish to do, and I would be able to make an impression in the world.”
Some might have expected Fanny to reply, “At least you have eyes that can see.”
Fanny had been blind since the age of two months. Few would blame her for reminding the dissatisfied neighbor that his lack did not begin to compare with her own.
But Fanny answered instead, “Well, take the world, but give me Jesus” (1).
Why would Fanny respond like that? She provided part of the answer in the hymn she wrote, inspired by the above encounter. The title: Give Me Jesus (1878).
Her reasons mentioned included his everlasting love, watchful care, deep mercy, and redemption for our sins.
Fanny’s 8000+ hymns and choruses celebrate numerous other reasons, as you can imagine.
If I ever wrote a hymn, the lyrics might include such blessings as these:
With Jesus,
Every need is provided,
Every promise fulfilled,
Every delight enhanced (2).
With Jesus,
Every sin is forgiven,
Every shame erased,
Every grace applied (3).
With Jesus,
Every worry is calmed,
Every fear assuaged,
Every prayer answered (4).
With Jesus,
Every decision is guided,
Every step ordered,
Every circumstance controlled (5).
With Jesus,
Every moment is lovingly attended,
Every necessary truth revealed,
Every God-given task empowered (6).
To view these gifts altogether is like gazing into an overflowing treasure chest. We find the impact of each blessing magnified, the splendor augmented, the wonder increased by the sheer number of gifts.
And wonder ushers us into worship.
We praise you, O holy God! You are completely separate from all else in the universe. No one is your equal in power, wisdom, splendor, and love—all manifested in the glorious work you do in us and for us.
Thank you, Giver of all good gifts, for every kindness mentioned above and more.
With Fanny each of us can say:
Of course this post includes only a partial list of the blessings we experience with Jesus. What would you add? Please share in the comment section below!
Notes:
1. https://wordwisehymns.com/2011/12/16/take-the-world-but-give-me-jesus-2/
2. Philippians 4:19; Psalm 145:13b; Psalm 16:11
3. 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 43:25; John 1:16 ESV
4. Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 23:4; 1 John 5:14-15
5. Psalm 32:8; Psalm 37:23 NLT; Psalm 103:19
6. Psalm 23:4; John 8:32; Philippians 2:13
Art & photo credits: http://www.worldwidehymns.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com (2).
From the Inside Out 
Give me Jesus, too, Nancy! Oh, what beautiful words you’ve penned here, my friend, celebrating the glory and wonder that is God. May all of us remain faithful to Him and stand in awe of His presence.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. And oh yes–may we remain faithful to the end! You’ve reminded me of a worship song we used to sing back in the 90s, “I Stand in Awe of You.” One line: [You are] “too marvelous for words.” So very true, but we have to try, don’t we!
Wonderful post!
Thank you, Suzanne!
Thank you very much for the beautiful post with so much hope ,love and grace in it.Hallelujah.Take care.🌹🙏
Thank you, Francis. I’m glad you found hope, love, and grace here.
This so lifted my spirits. Like a breath of fresh air sweeping through the rooms. Fanny is such an inspiration and so are you. Thank you, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Deborah! Praise God for the uplift you experienced, and thank you for your kind encouragement.
Amen! Yes, Give me Jesus, also. Where could I go, but to the Lord, from another favorite hymn. Thank you for this sweet encouragement tonight!
You’re welcome, Bettie. I am right with you–no where to go but to the Lord when we’re in need. I can’t imagine life without him!
Amen!
Thank you, Kevin. Praise God for his inspiration!
Good words!! Very inspiring and glorifying to Him!!
So glad you found inspiration, Alicia. It’s gratifying to know the good words God gave me are also glorifying to Him!
Wouldn’t she have been a great person to know personally? I wonder what that would have been like> Thanks for a great read, Nancy
She must have been a woman of deep inner strength and unstoppable faith! My research uncovered a couple of facts you as an author would find particularly interesting, Jean. Fanny didn’t start writing hymns until she was past 40 years old. Though she lived to be 95, Fanny must have composed a hymn every other day or so in order to produce 8,000+! Talk about prolific!!
Just give me Jesus! Amen! In the late 90s, I read a book that caused that refrain to stick in my head forever, Anne Graham Lotz, ‘Just Give Me Jesus’! It just really boils it down!
Fanny Crosby is an amazing woman of God!
Great thoughts!
Thank you, Nancy!
Thank you, Peach and Batman. I read that book by Anne Graham Lotz too! So appreciate you two becoming followers here. I pray you’ll find the posts meaningful whenever you’re able to visit.
What lovely verses you have written, Nancy. Lately I have been reflecting upon my Savior’s compassion. In particular, after Peter denied the Lord three times and Christ was crucified He singled Peter out specifically in Mark 16:7: “But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee: there shall you see him, as he said to you.” The Lord recognized that Peter specifically needed to be told the angel’s message because he had been hiding in shame since he denied Jesus. Peter thinks himself as a coward and traitor. What a compassionate thing for Christ to do! His love knows no bounds.
Thank you, Cheri. Oh yes–that story is a stunning example of Christ’s compassion in action. Praise God for his love that knows no bounds–for each of us!
Hi Nancy,
She sees her hope now and it was worth it all. We will see Him soon and the world’s troubles will be the fading nightmare In Christ,
Gary
On Thu, Apr 15, 2021 at 12:44 PM From the Inside Out wrote:
> Nancy Ruegg posted: ” One day a neighbor of Fanny Crosby complained, “If I > had wealth I would be able to do just what I wish to do, and I would be > able to make an impression in the world.” Some might have expected Fanny to > reply, “At least you have eyes that can see.” F” >
You are so right, Gary: Fanny does indeed see her hope now. She often commented that her blindness was a blessing because the first thing she would see would be Jesus’ face! And yes, soon it was be our turn–Hallelujah!
Great post Nancy! I have always been inspired by the life story and the hymns of Fanny Crosby. She may have been blind, yet God gifted her in so many ways. This post was a blessing to my heart today as I read it. Thank you!
Praise God this post was a blessing to you, Kathy. That blesses me!