In 1960 my parents were pastors at the First Assembly of God church in Marion, Indiana. One Saturday evening as Dad prayed over his Sunday Sermon, he felt a need to go into the Sanctuary. He walked down to the alter and fell on his knees to pray. There, he was overcome by the Spirit of God. God called him to go on a world wide Missionary trip. When Dad cried and asked how “How will this ever be possible? I don’t know how to even start the process. I don’t have the money. What will my church say?” God impressed him that “With God, all things are possible. Trust me.” And it was possible. Everything fell into place. There were no hitches. Within one month he had places to go, the money to take the trip, his passport, all his shots and papers.
Mom was a minister as well and would be required to take care of the church during Dad’s 3-month absence. Miracles happened. Lives were changed. At the same time, mom had to make challenging church decisions and deal with difficult personalities. She missed Dad, felt alone and was challenged by the demands she faced. Still…The church grew and was blessed. Mom was excited for the way God was working, but she was also exhausted and overwhelmed.
One night I woke to the sounds of mom crying and playing the piano. I rushed to the living room of our tiny home. When her tear stained face smiled at me but kept singing, I curled up on the couch. From there I had a front row seat to watch God take her through the process of writing her most popular song.
Her singing was interrupted with prayers that asked God why she was alone. Why did God need Dad? Why was she left her alone to navigate church business without him? She felt scared and wondered why she was being tested. Dad had written home for prayer when he faced close calls and dangerous places. She worried about him. Even though, he also wrote about miracles, she was still concerned.
I watched her cry. I watched her shiver. I watched her pour out prayers that wanted and demanded understanding.
I squinted my eyes at her when everything stopped. She was perfectly quiet. Sitting on that piano bench, hands folded in her lap – it seemed as if she was listening for directions from her invisible Savior and friend. Finally, she sighed. She put her head back looking upward and said, “Yes, Jesus. Yes, Jesus.” She wiped her face and began to hum and play the piano.
Slowly the words formed. Paper and pen lay quietly on the piano yet she didn’t stop to write. She sang what became the chorus. She sang it over and over again. Each time her smile grew a little wider. Finally, she picked up the pen and wrote, hummed and grinned. Within minutes she sang….
#1. Sunshine comes and Sunshine goes, then shadows linger.
Darkness fills the night with mystery and care.
But within my heart a gentle voice reminds me,
“Fear no evil,” Jesus said, “for I’ll be there.”
CHORUS:
I don’t need to Understand, I just need to hold His hand.
I don’t need to ever ask the reason why.
For I know He’ll make a way thru the night and thru the day;
I don’t need to Understand, I just need to hold His hand.
***
#2. Life is like a mighty sea, so tossed and driven.
Billows rise within the heart of every man
Storms so many times will leave the heart with questions.
That you don’t need to understand, just hold his hand.
***
#3. When my life down here is thru and Jesus calls me.
To my home up there upon the golden shore.
I’ll look back, review the path that lay before me.
But I won’t care to understand any more.
*********
Over the years her song was recorded by several artists and became the title song on Jimmy Swaggart’s Gold Album. It became an international song and has been sung in places like Uganda, Russia, Mexico, Spain, UK and Korea.
Mom received thousands of letters about this song. It has helped people relax and trust God through their trials. One lady who was fighting cancer played the record until the grooves were so deep she couldn’t hear the song. Next, she purchased a cassette and wore that out. Finally, she bought several CD’s from mom. People who face a terminal illness, lost children, a crumbling marriage, the death of a loved one, financial issues or just a broken heart – have found great hope and peace through this song.
Today (2020) America is hurting. As we face unknown futures in this country, I hope that you will find comfort and enjoy listening to this beautiful classic song. She would be so grateful to know that it brought you a measure of peace. If she could, I know she would tell you that if you trust Jesus and just hold tight to his hand – he will guide you through your current problems as well as any other trial.
Until mom fell just 5 days before her death, she loved to sing this song. At the nursing home she would sing it for her caregivers or with me during meals. Her teeth were missing, her memory had failed and her voice was shaky and unsure – but she sang. Oh how she sang! She believed every word of this song and it kept her strong during every trial she faced. During those last few days, I sang it to her. I held her hand, while mom held her Savior’s hand.
Many years ago when Mom’s voice was still beautiful and Dad could play for her, they recorded an inspiring CD titled “Songs for troubled Hearts.” Mom sings “I don’t need to Understand” as well as several other songs. You can listen and see personal pictures on the link below.
You can own this beautiful CD for a $15 donation to Christian Ministries. (Use the link to Debbie’s Store) “Songs for Troubled Hearts” was made when her voice was still beautiful and Dad could play the piano for her. She sings other songs as well. My favorite part of the CD is when she stops to pray for anyone that is listening.
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