A few days ago in Music to Touch Our Hearts I listed a number of pieces of music which always pull at my heart-strings. So today I want to talk to you about the Salvation Army band piece entitled Just As I Am, which was one of the pieces of music I listed. Please listen here to Enfield Citadel Band of the Salvation Army playing this piece of music:
Where do I start with this one? Well let me start by saying it always reminds me of my gran. Why? To be honest, I’m not quite sure – maybe it was one of her favourites or, maybe it just reminds me of the message my gran always tried to pass onto me, that I should give my heart to God.
Just to explain to those of you who don’t know, my gran and grandfather were two of the very first Salvationists at Rutherglen Citadel Salvation Army. My grandfather being the first Songster Leader (leader of the senior choir) at Rutherglen, holding that position for many years.
My gran didn’t have the easiest of lives; my grandfather dying in his early fifties and then, every mother’s nightmare, losing one of her daughters. Despite all this, I always remember my gran being one of the most Christian people I have every known, and that is my lasting memory of her.
Ultimately in her later years my gran suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, however I remember one day when she was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s when her and my aunt were at our house, my Mum and aunt were out in the back garden, my Dad was out playing in one of his bands, I was up stairs in my bedroom getting ready to go and play tennis, started to come downstairs, but stopped as I heard my gran’s voice – she was in our living room alone, praying. I didn’t like to listen to what was obviously a personal prayer time for her, but the part I did hear, I will never forget, she knew she had Alzheimer’s and knew what that meant for her future, but she was praying she wouldn’t be a burden on the family. Wow! How selfless. I’m sure for many if put in that position, we’d be praying for ourselves, not for others.
That day moves me every time I think about it, and for me sums up my gran – All she did was for God and for her family and for others, rather than herself.
She acknowledges that God wants us just as we are. I pray that in all I do, I may bring honour to God and to the memory of my gran, as
Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bid’st me to come to thee. O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of god, I come! Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings within and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am, thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am, thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down, Now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come!
The Distinct Dot 
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