How Great Thou Art

We had church today at my place of work. The residents slowly made their way into the family/living room, ready with open hearts and minds to hear Gods word. Boger City Baptist came in this morning, and thus the praise hymns began. I sat at my desk and just smiled as I heard the old familiar chourus of "How Great Thou Art". This was mostly sung off key and one gentlemens voice stood out above the crowd. He was LOUD and ahead of the music. It was one of those things where you cannot help but laugh. As I sat there, I was taken back to church days as a little girl. I can still hear the choir and congregation now. Then, those hymns might not have meant as much, as then I did not fully understand God's love and grace. Those old hymns mean much more to me these days.
When I hear the sweet words of "How Great Thou Art" I am reminded of my Gramps, Hubert B. Williams who passed away when I was only nine years of age. This was his favorite hymnal. Even though it has been 21 years since the Lord called him home, I can still picture him as he was. Most likey standing in the kitchen with a peanut butter and banana sandwich, or down in his garden digging away. My Gramps always had the best garden. And I don't know why, but food always seemed to taste better when he made it. Even though those 21 years have come and gone, I still think of him often. I often wish he were still alive and with us today. I wish he would have had the opportunity to meet my son. I can just see the smile on his face right now. I am thankful that a hymn of praise can bring back so many fond and wonderful memories. Now my Gramps gets to sing "How Great Thou Art" any time he wants, only now, it is in the presence of Jesus. How Great Thou Art!
Next was "Victory in Jesus" and still the one mans voice rang out above the crowd.
I left my desk for a minute and snuck a peak around the corner. There the residents were, wheelchairs and all, singing to the top of their lungs. It's didn't seem to matter that everyone was off key and either ahead or behind when singing the chourus. They were simply praising the Lord. No matter the tune, I am sure this was pleasing to the Lord. You see God doesn't care what you have on, where you attend church, how bad the music might be, or how off key you yourself may sound. All he cares, is that when you praise him, you do it with an open heart.
I was saddened this morning because it was my weekend to work. Another Saturday and Sunday to come and go and me wishing I was some place else. I wanted to be at my own church this morning. I wanted to play catch up with my family and friends. I wanted to be anywhere else, but there, stuck at work. Coming in this morning was a struggle for me. I was simply tired and wanting so badly to be anywhere but there. Within 15 minutes of being there (work), none of that seemed to matter. God had brought church to me. I may not have been in the room physically to hear Gods message today, but God brought his message to me through others. I had church today and I thank the Lord for it. I can still hear those old hymns. "How Great Thou Art" "Victory in Jesus" and "God I Come". I thank the Lord for those hymns and I thank him once again for reminding me of just how great he is. Until next time, I will cling to the old rugged cross.