The beautiful sisters of a young man in our congregation were visiting at church yesterday morning. They are from out of town, but have come several times, so we were glad to welcome them back. It’s nice to have return visitors to church, certainly, but we always welcome the members of this family with anticipation because they are highly gifted musically. Often they do special music. What a treat! Yesterday morning, we sat behind them. At the beginning of the first song, we knew we’d made a mistake. We should have chosen a seat in front of them, so that we could hear them better as the congregation sang. As the last song of the service began and the congregation stood, my husband nudged me and said, “Let’s go.” I knew he didn’t mean leave, so we scooted up to the empty spaces in front of the girls (to the front row, which, of course, is usually empty!)
I tried to sing, really I did. But their voices are so angelic, and the song spoke so completely to me, that I just stood there. Tears, of course. My husband’s quiet baritone voice mixed with the bell-like soprano behind me and God spoke.
Now I am not in a ‘crisis of faith’, but we are waiting on the Lord, and waiting is difficult for me. Patience is difficult for me. I am not a ‘be-er’ and I am a ‘do-er’ – so waiting and trusting and being patient is one of the hardest tasks for me. God knows all this. God loves me even though I am struggling. One evidence was the gift of the McCoy sisters yesterday morning singing these lyrics by Dennis Jernigan (the song is called You Are My All In All)
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Oh, Your name is worthy
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Thanks, God. Thanks, girls!!
