By Jeannie Dortch. Photos by Dean Hawthorne.
Every morning, lean thine arms awhile
Upon the windowsill of heaven,
And gaze upon thy Lord.
Then, with the vision in thy heart,
Turn strong to meet thy day.
Author unknown
In the early days of his ministry, Dr. Theodore F. Adams vacationed in Wisconsin where he attended an outdoor vesper service led by an Episcopal rector who recited the verse above. Dr. Adams never forgot those words. He committed them to memory.
From 1936-1968 Dr. Adams served as senior pastor of Richmond’s First Baptist Church. During that time he referred to this verse countless times as one of his favorites. He even had desktop placards made and sent to every member of the church.
Many readers are aware that the beautiful stained glass windows surrounding the FBC Sanctuary were part of a renovation project initiated by Dr. Adams in the late 1940s, but they may be unaware of the message he left in one of the windows by which we remember him today.
In the commission of the windows’ refurbishment, Dr. Adams’ goal was twofold. The larger windows that surround the balcony were to portray the significant events in the life of Jesus, while those below were to demonstrate how followers could live out Jesus’ lessons in modern times. Each upper window correlates to the one below it and is interpreted there for modern understanding. Each window is also accompanied by a scripture passage – except one.
There are two windows in the church picturing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, one in the Chapel and one in the Sanctuary. The Chapel window’s focus is on prayer, but the story in the Sanctuary’s window shows Jesus, having been strengthened by prayer, telling Peter, James, and John, “Behold, the hour is at hand—Rise, let us be going.” The light shining on Jesus comes from heaven and affirms Jesus’ declaration that, “Thy will, not mine, be done.”
Bathed in sunlight in the corollary window below kneels a lone figure, praying the very poem that begins, “Every morning, lean thine arms upon the windowsill of heaven.” These verses are not found in the Bible, but send the message that made such a marked impression on Dr. Adams’ life that he was determined it be memorialized in this window.
Could he have guessed that with each reading, those who remembered him would also see him reciting it before a congregation of First Baptist Church members, even today?
In writing about Dr. Adams, Dr. W. Randall Lolley, former pastor of FBC Greensboro, NC, says that Dr. Adams was a man, “who truly perceived the earth as the ‘windowsill of heaven.’ Every person he met, every event he enjoyed, every experience he knew worked ‘inside/out’ rather than ‘outside/in.’”
As we continue our mission to bring KOH2RVA, may we put into practice these words so dear to Dr. Adams.
Editor’s note: These windows are located on The Boulevard side of the Sanctuary, the fourth set from the front.
Copies of the fully illustrated Memorial Windows written by Theodore F. Adams and The Open Door, the church’s history from 1780-2005, are available for checkout or purchase in the church library.
When I heard this verse was one of Dr. Adams’ favorites, I wrote it on the inside of my Bible. I love this verse! Wonderful article ~ Thank you Jeannie!
My wife and I, who were students of Dr. Adams at Southeastern Seminary in the 1970’s, edited a book of Dr. Adams’ sermons that was published in 1992. The book is titled “The Windowsill of Heaven,” and contains the title sermon in which Dr. Adams tells the story of the outdoors Vespers service where he first saw this poem. Thank you for this article.
Dr. Mark T. White, Pastor
First Baptist Church of Clayton, North Carolina
I found the poem quoted above, “Begin the Day With God,” attributed to Thomas Blake. It was cited in the book, I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes. ed. Bette Bishop, 1968. It is a lovely poem.
I was blessed to hear Dr. Adams use this in a message at Massenetta Springs when l was about 13. It made such an impact l remembered it and have tried to follow it ever since, finding its truth reinforced through the years. Eightith birthday yesterday, it is even more important, if possible, than ever in these troubled times.
I bought this little calligraphic writing that reads the above mentioned verse. I found it in a Good Will store and fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. I know it seems sad that it ended up in the Good Will Store (Mechanicsville, VA) but it really didn’t END UP there…I have it now and have owned if for about 10 years. I remember the day I found it. It was a very appropriate reminder to look to God everyday for me at the time. I am in awe that I found it on the web today. I have it placed on my desk at work and thought I would see where it came from in the bible. I googled the verse and found this! I believe that I may have one of the original placards in my possession. It is great to know the history of the verse and find out that it is a “local” history too.
On my grandmother’s dresser all of my childhood
My childhood pastor, Dr. W. O. Vaught, Jr., had these words printed on plaques which he presented to each of us graduating high school seniors in 1966 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. These words began a lifelong practice for me. Today I Googled it, looking for its source, so I could put it on a plaque for my granddaughter who is a graduating high school senior. I love reading about its history!
I love this prayer too. My husband is a retired teacher and he first heard it in a House Assembly at school. I loved it as soon as I heard it and want to share it with residents in a Care Home where I help with Communion services. I would love to print it on cards and distribute it to them.
Liz
My Dad dearly loved this verse, as do I, my wife and his grandchildren. John Adams