The power of Gospel-saturated words.

Yesterday I got a call from the office as I was driving in that a woman in our church who has been a "cancer warrior" (her own words) for over 7 years was in the hospital with kidney and liver failure and the doctors saying that nothing more could be done.  I headed down to the ICU and hung out with the husband for a while as well as another pastor from the church.  At one point they both left and it was just me and her.  I asked her if she wanted to listen to some music and she was softly muttered "yes."  I was able to play one of my favorite cd's of hymns believing it would be comforting and familiar to her.  It is the Together for the Gospel Live (from 2008) and the first two hymns are "A Mighty Fortress" and "It is Well."
Both of these hymns are saturated with words written by men deeply affected by the truth of the Gospel.  For most of the time I was there she simply moaned (seemingly in pain though she said she wasn't) with about every breath.  When these hymns were being played the moans changed.  They were no longer ones of pain, but seemingly of relief and joy.  I believe she also tried to break a smile.  Especially with these words:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!  

This is glorious truth that I am convinced she is resting in.  And though her husband, family, and friends will miss her; she is about to experience joy inexpressible!  

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul. 

Amen, come Lord, come!