On the car radio this morning I heard the old Stevie Wonder song:
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me
Someone I’ve needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
Somehow I know I’ll be strong…
My ‘just once in my life’ experiences include: starting school as a five-year-old, getting baptised as a teenager, scoring a hat-trick for my college hockey team, passing my driving test, retiring – walking out of school never to return.
Some friends have a ‘bucket-list’, their ‘for once in my life’ wish-list – the trip to New York, the parachute jump, the West Indian cruise… driving a steam train, riding on an elephant, swimming with dolphins…
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Would make my dreams come true
It’s a song about love…
Just once in my life I got engaged, got married, saw and held each child for the first time, saw and held each grandchild for the first time…
I think of friends who just ‘once in their life’ – rediscovered love after a painful divorce, were reconciled to family members who’d been distant, had children when they thought it was impossible…
For once in my life, I won’t let sorrow hurt me
Not like it’s hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won’t desert me
I’m not alone anymore…
‘Once in my life’ starts as a single experience, but continues; love, that starts ‘once in my life’ continues, constantly comforting, healing, strengthening…
I go married once; I am a husband. I became a father; I am a father. I became a Christian; I am a Christian…
St Paul’s declaration: ‘I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’ is about both the ‘once’, and the ‘continuing’ love of God.
‘Once in my life’ is good; continuing through my life is better.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Malcolm, your words always hit my heart. The “once” decision I made in Christ has never failed me (like some other “once’s” that turned to multiple). The “Christ in Karla” has given me the richest life and the only wisdom I’ve needed to continue reaping the blessings. You’re a blessing to us all! I will remember your words! You’re a wise counsel, my friend
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I like ‘the once’s that turn to multiple’, Karla. I think that’s how the song describes love, and Christian folk would describe their breadth of Christian knowledge and experience.
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Thank you, Malcolm. Amen!
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Beautiful song and lyrics! Your post is a good reminder to cherish those firsts and continue to savor them like new exhilarating blessings from God. 🙂
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Thanks, Nancy. ‘Cherish’ and ‘savour’ (or savor!) are great words to use in this context!
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I love this song, thanks for putting it in my head today 😊 Maggie
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I love this song too, Maggie. It can be taken on so many levels.
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I saw Stevie Wonder perform it live a few years ago too – amazing 🙂
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WOW! Lucky lady! I remember when he was always referred to as ‘Little Stevie Wonder’!
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Stevie is an amazing person and performer. A great song of his to highlight here, along with some wonderful life highlights. Made me think about my once-in-my-life moments. I am blessed to have lived long enough to have compiled a pretty decent list for myself. 😊Enjoyed this, Malcolm!
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Thanks, Bruce. I too have a lot to be grateful for – both the single -‘once in my life’ and the ‘continuing through my life’.
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