I’d rather have Jesus…I grew up hearing these words and hearing my Mom singing this song. I can still hear her singing it with her beautiful smile. My Mom loved beautiful things. It was just who she was. She loved beautiful clothes and always looked classy and all put together. She decorated her home beautifully. She loved looking at beautiful houses when we went on walks or on a drive. She loved spring, summer and fall flowers and the beauty of fresh fallen snow.

But she was honest and admitted that at times she wanted more clothes, a more beautiful home or new furniture…however she would quickly change her words to her favorite song and say.. but “I’d rather have Jesus”. And in turn when we wanted all “the things” and what our other friends had, she would start to sing this song. We rolled our eyes because we really wanted those things!

But it’s funny how I grew older and I realized how right she was and how much she meant what she said. And I am so thankful that as much as I rolled my eyes then and knew what I wanted and that’s what mattered to me, I feel like she did now and how she taught me to be. That as long as I have Jesus I have all I need to live this life. Truly, I would rather have Jesus than anything.

You may ask why Jesus means so much to me. I can’t see Him, I can’t audibly hear Him. How do I really know He is there? What is it that causes me to want Him more than all of the wonderful things this life has to offer? What makes Jesus such a necessity?

The answer is simply…I need Him. My Momma I keep speaking of, she died suddenly on December 23, 2020 of Covid. He has held me close as I have grieved her loss. He has done more for me than I could have ever imagined. And the time I spend praying, worshipping, reading the Bible truly brings a lasting fulfillment that absolutely nothing in this world has to offer. He is solid, He is permanent. He never leaves me. And for that I can feel secure even when my world is rocking like a ship at sea. He is my anchor. I can’t tell you the amount of tears that I have poured out as I have cried out to Jesus in some of my hardest times. But in turn I also can’t tell you how much I felt an amazing peace and joy even when my mom was in her last days…I had peace. The more I talked to Jesus the more peace I had. I told Him I did not understand. I was sad, mad, confused. But the more I was transparent with Him and admitted my deep need for Him, the more He filled me with a peace I literally cannot explain. I promise no earthly thing can give you this peace. Go. To. Him.

If you haven’t experienced these moments with Jesus, start by talking to him right in your own quiet place. Wherever you find peace. Tell Him you need Him. Talk to him like a friend or a parent. He does not need eloquent prayers. Just be you. He loves you just how you are, right where you are. He does not expect perfection from you. He just longs for you to get to know Him, read the Bible which is a compass to lead you through this crazy life and to bring you comfort. Sing to Him, he thinks you have a beautiful voice even if you think you do not. He created you and He loves you just like you are. He loves to hear you talk to Him and worship Him.

These are the words to the song my mom would sing to me. I will always sing this song and mean every word. He has been so very good to me.

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I’d rather have be His than have riches untold. I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land. I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this old world affords today. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause, I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause, I’d rather have Jesus than world wide fame. I’d rather be true to His holy name.”

My mom’s desire to look pretty and have pretty things never went away but she would always desired Jesus more. As a matter of fact a few days before she went on the vent she wanted me to bring her pretty jammies, make up and pretty smelling lotions. She just liked feeling pretty. Unfortunately she never got to wear all of those things, She passed away in her hospital gown unconscious looking nothing like herself. This was very hard on me. But as time has gone by I have thought…she is now more beautifully adorned than ever. I can picture my beautiful Momma bowing at the throne of Jesus. She left that hospital bed, gown and vent and ran into the arms of Jesus…the one she always said she’d rather have..SHE HAS HIM. Oh how happy that makes me.

My Momma now has that Jesus she sang to, cried out to, clung to and depended on. She couldn’t take all of her beautiful things to Heaven and she sure didn’t need to. She now sees the one she worshiped every day. She is where she always wanted to be. No more pain, sadness, or heartbreak.

Would you rather have the peace that only Jesus can give? The things of this world will never eternally fulfill you. It is a free gift to you today. He lovingly longs and desires to give it to you. Just ask Him. Don’t wait till later. Take the time now to go bow before the one who has been longing to touch you and meet you where you are. He longs to hold you.

Phillippians 3:18-“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things, I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.”

~dedicated to my Momma, Sharon Rose Weatherly. Thank you for teaching me about Jesus and His love always.