Thy Will Be Done

Our anthem for Sunday, January 24, was composed by Joyce Eilers in the 1970s. When it was published by the Heritage Music Press, it contained a dedication: "For Janet Howland in memory of her son, Eric." The lyrics are a tender statement of faith, which surely comforted a mother grieving over the loss of her son:

Sometimes the load is heavy,
And sometimes the road is long.
And sometimes, Lord, this heart of mine
Is not so very strong.
But Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

Father, I do not ask You
To take this cup from me.
I only ask Your guidance
O'er paths I cannot see.
And Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

Now, Lord, I feel You near me,
I feel Your guiding pow'r.
And know You're standing by me
Through ev'ry passing hour.
And Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

These words could also be seen as a fitting epitath for Ms. Eilers herself: she passed away on June 2, 2009 after a lengthy illness.

According to her obituary, Eilers one of the top choral composers in the country, with hundreds of compositions and arrangements to her credit. In addition to her contributions to the libraries of many churches and school, she is also known for her mentoring of young composers. She taught at both elementary and secondary levels and was a popular clinician and lecturer in music education.

Emily Crocker, Vice President of Choral Publications at Hal Leonard Corporation, said, “Joyce was my teacher, my editor and my friend. She was incredibly generous with her time and encouragement of young composers. Her music had a wonderful way of touching the heart. Thousands, maybe millions of singers have been enriched by her contribution to the choral art and she leaves a lasting legacy of beauty.”

And Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.