It was a method that might have resonated with the One who spent so many hours in solitude with His Father. The story that Eric and Dawn tell is similar and connects the “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” they know with an experience one of them had while penning the words to this song in 1989, probably in the Nashville, Tennessee area (see map) where they were at the time. You might remember many words from your bible that tell of the Jewish carpenter-turned-teacher going off to pray alone (as in Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28), something He seemed to need for rejuvenation. Was that Dawn Rodgers’ purpose when she happened upon the words of the poem she wrote and then shared with Eric Wyse (her husband) upon his return from a trip? Actually, it was a combination of multiple venues that helped Dawn and Eric complete this musical journey, showing that He employs His Spirit in various ways to do something creative.
Dawn Rodgers needed some time alone one day. Was it an extra
tough day, or just one like many others that left her feeling a little spent,
as sometimes happens when the human body takes on daily life? Perhaps she routinely
built moments like this into her schedule, as Eric’s remembrance of the time
seems to suggest, when he says she produced much of ‘Wonderful…’ during her ‘quiet
time’. Eric probably thought her method was quite sensible, especially since
she produced something upon his return home that he was eager to help bring
closer to fulfillment. And yet, it still needed something else the Sunday that
they sang it for the first time. So, there was someone else, a message-giver (a
fellow probably named Scotty?) at the church where they were worshipping that
day, who said some words that had Dawn scribbling and finishing off the words
of a third verse. These last words had not even touched Eric’s ears before Dawn
used them for the first time. That’s confidence, even trust, right! As many
marriage partners might say, Dawn and Eric must implicitly believe the other
has the connection with Him who directs the heart and the pen. From what we can
see of Dawn’s third verse, perhaps the sermon’s message had included some
incisive words about a Father who’s strong, faithful, and tender – striking a
mental and emotional chord that had her submissively falling before Him in gratitude.
Eric says it was done at that moment, so we can imagine that the sermon had touched
him in much the same way that it had his mate. God can reach us with any of His
three persons, as Dawn’s poetry indicates: an obedient Son who offers Himself
for me; an always-present Spirit who has a roadmap available for the lost traveler;
and a Father, in whose love I can always find strength to overcome my weakness.
He’s quite personally involved in my walk each day; that must have been what Dawn’s
encounter during the quiet one day in 1989 showed her.
Perhaps it didn’t surprise Dawn and Eric how this musical
enterprise transpired. After all, she may have intentionally planned such a meeting
with Him that day, as Eric’s telling of the story indicates. She expected to hear
something to strengthen, encourage, or inspire her insides. Has she marked the
spot where it happened, you think? Or, maybe she’s tried to replicate it since
then, in the last 30 years. He’s not averse to coming wherever and whenever I
seek Him. So, if you’ve found a time and place that ‘works’ for you – He is
there – and feeds your hunger (that’s how Dawn and Eric’s chorus describes
their hearts), that’s not by accident, is it? Go feed your hunger.
The following is the only source of the song story: https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/149717296255/wonderful-merciful-savior-wyseselah
See these links for biography on one author: https://www.last.fm/music/Eric+Wyse/+wiki
