Just a Little Talk with Jesus
A couple of months ago, when I was taking care of my two grand-dogs (the big furry, 85-pound Australian Shepherd and the 5-pound Yorkie), I didn’t let their leashes out too far when we went for walks. If another dog came along, I had them close-at-hand to keep them from getting too close to trouble. Yesterday, in my blog, I admitted to needing God’s help with being more grace-filled and grace-giving for someone who was “ruffling my feathers”. I know it when I get myself tangled up in focusing on other people’s flaws instead of my own. I’m so thankful that God keeps me on a short leash because I know it right away. I know I need to have a talk with Him to get ME straightened out. I’m amused that an old, old Gospel song filled my mind when I felt the tug from His loving leash. It went like this:
“Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry and He will answer by and by
Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
You’ll know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.
I may have doubts and fears my eyes be filled with tears
But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night
Oh, I go to Him in prayer, He knows my every care
And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right
That song was written in the 1930s by Rev. Cleavant Derricks, pastor of a small African American church in Alabama. He wrote “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” during the Great Depression. Money was already tight during those difficult times, but his church needed new hymnals. Rev. Derricks found a publisher, Stamps-Baxter, and offered them his song to publish if they would provide hymnals for his church.
Stamps-Baxter Music Company reviewed his song and purchased it from Rev. Derricks and published it in 1936. He received fifty hymnals in exchange for the rights. Within just a few years, the song had become one of the best loved Southern Gospel songs. It was recorded by Elvis Presley, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, and many others.
I have a greater appreciation for this song now because it reminded me that every time I am confronted with the enemy’s tactics to steal my peace because of someone or some-thing, to surrender and appreciate God lovingly tugging on my short-leash to remind me of Whose I am and who I am in Him. It reminded me that my love-walk and love-talk gets better when I talk to Him about it.
I get the life-lesson He wants me to learn. I said to those sweet grand-dogs “Good, Boy! Good, Girl!” when they behaved so well when other dogs were barking their heads almost off and their owners were tugging on them with all their might. When I “have a little talk with Jesus” and I go to Him in prayer, He makes everything right. My attitude changes for the better and I hear God say to me “Good Girl! Well done, My good and faithful servant”. I know I need more “little talks with Jesus” every day! How about you?