Conclusion:
After hearing what had happened to Aunt Bea my heart sank quicker than the Titanic. I couldn't even imagine what she might have been going through let alone what the church was going through. And I really can't even put into words why God chose to take the music director like He did. My best interpretation would be the man left earth doing what he loved best, singing praises unto the Lord, and entered heaven being serenaded to by heavenly angels.
As for the church, the congregation knew how much Aunt Bea and the director loved singing together, so their prayers for Aunt Bea (and mine as well) would remain for quite some time, as she remained silent in her singing.
I had established good customer repoire with the new choir director so she kept me informed of any breaking news on Aunt Bea.
It wasn't until six months later when Aunt Bea would walk through those doors at the store again. We talked for a very short while then she promptly walked over to one of the listening stations, put on some music and began to sing. And she didn't even ask! This time she didn't need to ask. The woman who loved to sing about Jesus was back. And this time around it was the sweetest voice I had ever heard.
Within that two minute conversation I had with Aunt Bea I revealed to her that I knew what had happened and had been praying for her. Aunt Bea in return explained that her joy in singing unto the Lord had been restored ten times greater than what she had before.
Sometimes those of us who are believers will often wonder why am I going through this bad stuff ?
But, if there wasn't such a thing as bad we would never be able to appreciate the good in life. And we certainly wouldn't have a testimony to give on how great God is.
Most people when they think of Job they go straight to his suffering:
Lost all of his property
Lost all of his children
Was stricken with boils from head to toe
and fail to recognize that at the end of his adversity Job would gain twice as much as he had before:
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years. (Job 42:16,17)
If there were a message God wanted to convey through this story of Aunt Bea and her singing partner, and the fact that they chose to sing It Is Finished, it would probably be:
God's love for us didn't end at the cross, that's where it began.
Thanks Mr. Dave. It was worth the wait. I am glad for a happy ending, and that she found her song again. I know of a good Christian woman who stopped singing because long ago, one ignorant person criticized her voice. It wounded her so deelpy, that to this day, she will open a hymn book, but her voice is not used... the words are uttered only in her heart. It breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteThe love of God was certainly demonstrated at the cross, but I do not understand the quote at the end though, since it seems to contradict Ephesians 1:4-5, where God's love for his saints precedes even the creation of the earth. Am I reading it wrong?
I think i wanted to convey that: God's love for us extends further than at the cross, its ongoing throughout our life and through our relationship with Him.
ReplyDeleteblessings bro!!
I agree with dave, that there is no end to God's love for His children. I really enjoyed your blog. God bless, Lloyd
ReplyDeletethanks guys! i remember a family member who had a crucifix hanging on a wall in his living room.. after growing closer in the Lord he took Jesus off of that cross and left just the cross hanging on the wall. He had realized Christ wasnt on that cross anymore, He not only resurrected but was living inside of him..
ReplyDelete