THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY 

Way Down Yonder

When I was in the first grade, a music teacher would visit our class once a week, and sing songs with us.  We learned songs like, “This Old Man, He Played One,” “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” “B-I-N-G-O,” and lots of others.

But, my FAVORITE song was, “Way Down Yonder in the Paw-Paw Patch!” The lyrics start with:

Where, oh where is little Nellie?
Where, oh where is little Nellie?
Where, oh where is little Nellie?
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch!

Now, I didn’t even know what a paw-paw was, but when we sang that song, and we got to the part that said, “Way down yonder…” the teacher would have us stretch out our arms and point emphatically. When we sang the words, “Paw-Paw Patch,” we would clap our hands three times. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! Whatever it was…it was wa-a-a-y down yonder, and we were so thrilled that we clapped our hands!

But the BEST part…the VERY best part…was when we finished the first verse, the teacher would, in turn, substitute OUR names for “Nellie.” She would go down each row, and we’d sing, “Where oh where is little Johnny?” Or, “Where oh where is  little Susie?” On and on she went, until each child’s name was sung.

As she came closer and closer to my desk, my little six-year old heart would pound with excitement! My big brown eyes would widen in anticipation! Then…there she was, right beside me!

Where, oh where is little Mary?
Where, oh where is little Mary?
Where, oh where is little Mary!
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch! (CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!)

In that moment, I was queen of the world! I was loved, and I was special. My name was in a song! I can feel it even now!

This reminds me of a passage from Isaiah, which says:

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by NAME; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”    (Isaiah 43:1-2) NIV

I find this very comforting, for I know that when I am going through a difficult time…when I walk through the fire, when it seems like the waters will overtake me, then He will be with me. He will not be, “way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.” And, neither will I…I will be waiting in wide-eyed anticipation when He calls my name.