Back to the Old

 I always love seeing our flags blowing strong, and it was extra nice during the snow fall.

"Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth."

Psalm 8:1

I remember singing those words with Sandi Patty when she sang: "How Majestic is Your Name."  It was one of the first songs I learned as a new Christian. That prompted me to share the following.

At the first of the year I went downstairs and brought up all the DVDs and VHS cassettes that were down there. They'd been in some of the lone boxes that hadn't been unpacked when we moved in a year ago.

I had plenty of DVDs up here that we enjoyed watching. I couldn't remember what we had downstairs, so it was time to do something with them.

We came across all the Gaither Homecoming shows we'd purchased from the early 90s through the years. As well as many other movies, some we kept and some we got rid of. Seeing all those Homecoming shows made me want to watch them again.

I was saved in '78 and my faith grew up with Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Truth, Dallas Holmes, B J Thomas, Evie and others of that age. It wasn't until my mother told me I might like to watch the Gaither shows that Jerry and I watched our first one. And we were hooked.

I had never heard of most of the people in the shows. Jake Hess, James Blackwood, The Speer Family, J. D. Sumner were all unknown names to me. Bill Gaither brought a number of the old gospel singers together to sing one song that would go on the GaitherVocal Band album. It was so popular the Homecoming Shows were born. And what a difference the shows would make in the lives of millions.

I was hooked early on, and happily waited for each new show to come out for purchase. I learned songs I'd never heard of before. They'd been around and sung in the south for ages, but were unknown to me. I became familiar with old saints that gave their life sharing Jesus in song.

These Homecoming shows helped build my faith, encouraged my heart and touched my soul. What a wonderful way to start the new year, I thought! We have about 50 of the shows so we'll be warmed through the cold winter months by the passion and sharing of Jesus through song and stories.

The other evening Jerry said, "Ya, know, watching these old videos has really been good for my soul." Mine too! Yes, "Oh, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

I've never been one to focus on fashion and all the new designs that come out through the years. I'm a very traditional dresser and know what wears best on me. It's sustained me so far. But this past Christmas I received a gift of a pair of gloves that tickled me.

 I don't recall seeing gloves like this before. They're like a muff that you put both hands in to keep warm, but there's a muff for each individual hand! The first time I wore them made my heart laugh! They are so cute! Have any of you seen gloves like this before? I'm tickled with them. Thanks friend!

A humbling revealing of me . . .

The Homecoming shows often have songs about seeing your loved ones in heaven. Many tears are shed by the singers as they look forward to that glorious day of seeing members of their family once again. Tears are shed by me too. But sad ones. I don't know if I have any family waiting for me in heaven. I think of all I've missed not growing up with faith and God's presence, and it's a very sad thing.

I have two friends who have gone on to heaven and a treasured pastor, but there was no faith lived out in my immediate family or extended family. It's always a sad time for me when a song like this is sung.

Until the other evening. For the first time, while hearing songs of seeing loved ones in heaven, the thought came to me that I do have family waiting for me in heaven. Christ. He will be there with His welcoming arms and bring me into His home. Now that made me cry!

From a pond across the street from our former home in MD.

"Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning."
Joy Comes in the Morning by Bill Gaither
Psalm 30:5

I'm holding!