How Great Thou Art

O, Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

 

         Ever have one of those days when you just long to be home.  Not today's home, but the home of your childhood.  The home where you always felt safe because you were surrounded by loved ones ~ especially your mom and dad.  Today is one of those days.  14 1/2 years later, I still have times I long to feel my Daddy's warm embrace.  He gave the best bear hugs.  Almost four years later, I still yearn for my Mom to push the hair behind my ears. (drove me crazy as a kid, but what I wouldn't give to have her do that now!) 

       On days like this, I can't help but sing the song How Great Thou Art.  You see, my parents were the ones that first introduced me to the greatness of God.  My mom inspired me to follow my passion for music and may be the only person I know that hums and sings hymns as much as me.  My dad used to sit with me on the front porch during bad storms and ease my fears as we listened to the 'rolling thunder'.  I still like a good spring storm and just watching it rain and listening to it thunder. 

       I guess the real reason I think of this song when I miss them is the story my mother told me after Daddy died.  This was their song.  On their honeymoon in 1960, they did what everyone their age did ~ went to Niagra Falls.  Unlike most couples, they walked around the falls and Daddy taught Mom the words to this 'new hymn' that was being sung at the Billy Graham crusades.  Yes, it was How Great Thou Art.  What a magnificent place to learn this song.  God's power is definitely evident at Niagra Falls. 

       Every time I sing this, whether in worship, the shower, the car, or at a funeral, I picture my parents young and in love walking around the falls and singing of the greatness of God.  Could they have left a greater memory with me?  I don't think so.  Some day, I shall bow in humble adoration, and proclaim How Great Thou Art!  (And then I'm going to run and hug my mom and dad!)