“I Surrender All”
Songs that Speak To My soul: The Song That Found me at nine
There are some songs that don’t just pass through your ears they pass through your soul. They become markers, moments, and memorials of God’s presence in your life. For me, that song was “I Surrender All.” And I was only nine years old when it found me.
I remember it vividly, Sunday service, seating in the pew next to my Godmother; not wanting to be at another church service. Honestly, I wasn't really paying attention, church was something I had to do so I don't get in trouble.
That particular Sunday, when the choir began to sing, “All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all,” something inside me broke open. Tears began to streamed down my little face without warning. A warmth filled my chest, gentle, strong, unmistakably holy. It was the first time I experienced God for myself.
God Introduced Me to Surrender Early
What I didn’t realize then was that God was preparing me to the foundation of my entire faith journey: surrender.
Scripture tells us:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” — James 4:10
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” — Psalm 55:22
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
God was teaching me even as a child that His presence meets us where surrender lives. And life would soon prove that I would need that truth over and over again.
Surrender Became My Anchor
As I grew, life pulled me in different directions. There were seasons I wandered, seasons I resisted God, seasons I thought I knew better. But every time I drifted, surrender pulled me back. It anchored me to that moment at nine years old when the Spirit touched my heart.
No matter how far I ran, God’s invitation remained the same:
“Give it to Me. All of it.”
And every time I returned, I discovered that surrender wasn’t about losing it was about receiving. Scripture reminds us:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” — Psalm 34:18
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Surrender is where God meets us with His nearness, His strength, His direction, and His peace.
The Song That Still Speaks to My Soul
Even now, when I hear “I Surrender All,” I’m transported back to that sacred moment, the tears, the warmth, the undeniable presence of God. It reminds me that every breakthrough, every healing, every turning point in my life began with surrender.
When I surrender, God shows up.
He always has.
He still does.
And He always will.
Prayer
Father, thank You for every moment You’ve marked our lives with Your presence. Thank You for calling us whether as a child or an adult into the beauty of surrender. Help us to release what weighs us down and trust that Your hands are stronger than ours. Teach us to surrender daily, fully, and joyfully. May Your Spirit continue to meet us in those moments where our hearts say, “All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” Strengthen our faith, guide our steps, and draw us deeper into Your love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen