An Amazing Story That Never Gets Old

As we approach Good Friday and Easter where many of us will reflect on Christ, I shall also reflect on a different kind of resurrection, the restoration of someone's joy. A happiness that was suddenly taken away from them while singing a duet at a Good Friday service.

Although this true story, and no other story in history for that matter, will ever compare to Christ's suffering and resurrection, this story carries much value to all of us who are true believers. A different story that resurrects life and joy into one's soul. So, here ya' go:


           There was this woman who loved to sing about Jesus. I cannot recall her name, but she reminded me of Aunt Bea from the old Andy Griffith Show, so I guess we will just refer to her as Aunt Bea.

            Aunt Bea would come into my music store every couple of weeks to listen  and purchase new songs to sing in church. She would spend at least half an hour listening, carefully studying the words, and occasionally hum the tune. Sometimes she would even ask if I'd mind her singing out loud. In order to make the customer happy of course I was going to oblige. But this Aunt Bea, well, lets say she brought new meaning to the verse make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Even though her voice would crackle and be completely off key, she sang with great confidence and joy. I could tell that she enjoyed singing and nothing or no one was ever going to take that away from her.

            A week before Easter she came in to buy a background track to sing for the Good Friday service. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see her for quite some time. A whole month had passed and no sign of Aunt Bea. Then one day a young lady came in looking for some song books for her church choir. She was newly appointed as the music director at her church. As we chatted, I suddenly realized she was from the same church as Aunt Bea. I began to field my investigation of questions to her:



"Where is she? Is she okay? Haven't seen her in awhile, did she move?"

            With a hesitation in her voice, the woman answered,

            "She's okay. She just stopped singing."

            "She stopped singing?" I asked loudly. "What on earth would ever stop her from singing? That was her passion."

            The young music director then explained to me what had happened:


 At the Good Friday service she was singing a duet with the music director. The old hymn It Is Finished was their selection. Just as they finished the very first verse of the song, the music director grabbed his chest and fell to the ground. In front of a large group of parishioners the man died of a heart attack. Thus putting an end to the enjoyment of singing for this sweet old lady.

            After hearing this I remember my heart sinking like the Titanic. I then had an extremely heavy burden to keep her up in prayer, hoping someday I would see her again.
     And, believe it or not, there were times when I actually did miss her singing in the store.

            About 6 months later Aunt Bea came back into the store. We talked for a short while, she then proceeded 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 it was the sweetest voice I had ever heard.

 If there were two conclusions you could draw from this story it would be:

            One, the music director died doing what he loved best, singing unto the Lord.

            And two, even though the woman with the crackling voice had experienced a setback, she knew her love for God could not be contained or diminished. She returned to singing unashamed of how she may have sounded to others, knowing that it brought great pleasure to her soul, and that God only looks at the heart.

With the significance in the coming days of  remembering Christ dying on the cross for our sins, but resurrecting in 3 days to give us life, there is no better time for your own life to be resurrected, than now. Thankfully, we have a God who will take those broken shattered lives and restore them back to life, a life in Christ.

²² Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. 

²³ But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. 
(Colossians1:22,23)