Music has always been
a significant part of my life and whenever I am discouraged, music and
Scripture are usually my strong source of comfort and encouragement. Songs like “He Giveth More Grace,” “All Your
Anxiety,” and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” are just a few. If you’re not familiar with the lyrics, look
them up. All are based on Scripture and
are a great reminder of who God is.
Father’s Day weekend has
been a very difficult weekend for me for the last 12 years. I “lost” my husband the day after Father’s
Day on June 21, 2010. Let me rephrase
that. God called my husband home. His
job on earth was complete and it was time for him to meet his Heavenly Father
face to face. Oh, what a blessing! Oh, what joy—no more sorrow, no more pain! On Father’s Day weekend this year, I was
wallowing in self-pity being reminded of the significance of the holiday, and I
received a phone call from my sister informing me that Dad’s time on earth was
coming to a end. His doctor had placed
him under hospice care and it was just a matter of time. Did I mention he was 99 and had served God
faithfully for over 80+ years? He was no
longer able to care for himself in any capacity, had limited hearing and sight,
slept most of the time, had no friends.
Basically he had no life here on earth.
So why was I again wallowing in self-pity? Dad was ready to meet his Heavenly Father and
what a blessing that is for every child of God.
I mentioned earlier
how music has played a significant role in my life. God used music that weekend to really show me
who He is. After talking to my sister on
Saturday, I had to run to the grocery store.
On the way I was listening to Southern Gospel music and the Triumphant
Quartet sang “The Goodness of God” and I was reminded that God is in every
aspect of our lives, even the hard times.
Sunday morning as I was driving to church, again “The Goodness of God”
came on the radio. As we were singing in
the service, Fred had chosen the song, “The Goodness of God.” Need I say that
tears were flowing by this time as I was reminded of the goodness of God once
again? Pastor Love’s message and Amy
O’Rear’s lesson reinforced the fact that when our focus is on God and who he
is, we find joy even in the difficult times.
Later that afternoon
and evening, I was watching a video of the church service where my son serves
as Youth Pastor. They were honoring
their graduates, and they were also honoring him for ten years of faithful
service. In his “speech” he mentioned
his dad and yes, the tears began to flow once again. Not tears of sorrow as much as tears of pride
and wishing Jim could see how God was using Nathaniel to meet the needs of
teens and encouraging them to stay faithful to the Lord as they go out into a
godless world. Can you even guess what the next song in their service was? “The Goodness of God.” That night I went to bed with a full heart. God had truly shown me his faithfulness. The next morning when I awoke, the first
words that went through my mind were the words of the chorus: “All my life you
have been faithful. All my life you have
been so, so good.” I am so thankful
today for a God who is faithful and good even when we fail Him, He never fails
us.
I’d like to leave a
couple references that help to remind us of the goodness of God.
II Tim. 2:13, I Cor.
10:13, I John 1:9, and II Thess. 3:3
The Goodness of God
I love You, Lord, For
Your mercy never failed me.
All my days, I've been
held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head.
Oh, I will sing of the
goodness of God
And all my life You
have been faithful
And all my life You
have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the
goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through
the fire
And in the darkest
night You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness
of God!
'Cause Your goodness
is running after, it's running
after me
With my life laid
down, I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness
is running after, it's running
after me, oh-oh
And all my life You
have been faithful
And all my life You
have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness
of God
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness
of God
God is so good. God is so good. God is so good, He’s so good
to me.
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