As mother’s day approaches, “I am thinking today, of that beautiful land,” where my mother, Lucille (Corbin) Clark, my grandmothers Mable (Jones) Clark and Mildred (McCauley) Corbin and so many other wonderful women now reside; who sacrificed everything to give their children everything both tangible and intangible. My Grandmother Clark’s favorite hymn was also her testimony and her greatest motive in life, “Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?” I haven’t heard it since her funeral in July 1986—but I remember clearly the words and hearing all these ladies and others sing the beautiful old hymn in the parlor at Moundview Farm as we gathered around the piano after church on Sundays.

“I am thinking today of that beautiful land
I shall reach when the sun goeth down;
When through wonderful grace by my Savior I stand,
Will there be any stars in my crown?

Refrain:
Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown,
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest,
Will there be any stars in my crown?

In the strength of the Lord let me labor and pray,
Let me watch as a winner of souls;
That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day,
When His praise like the sea-billow rolls.

Oh, what joy it will be when His face I behold,
Living gems at His feet to lay down;
It would sweeten my bliss in the city of gold,
Should there be any stars in my crown.”

Eliza Hewitt expected that joy when she wrote these words in 1897. My Grandmother and many, many others have those same hopes and expectations. But it takes work and a conscious effort to “sweeten your bliss” and obtain those stars, and it doesn’t happen without the love and grace of Jesus.

We remember and salute and praise our Mothers on this special day. We say thank you Mothers everywhere. God bless the living and the dead and those yet to come.

Enjoy this beautiful rendition of “Will There Be Any Stars” sung by the Gaither Choir during a Gaither Homecoming.