Monday, January 19, 2009

Sshhh...Don't Tell Anyone!

I am a secret fan of the Bill Gaither Trio and Quartet. I blame it on my Mom and Dad. I have fond memories of being on vacation in our little motorhome and my parents pushing in the eight-track of the Bill Gaither Trio children's album to listen to while we were in bed and they were outside chatting with friends. I am sure that these two groups are the reason I love three and four part harmony today.
But, I am so not the Branson, Missouri type gal. Not into big hair, loads of make-up, and flashy clothes. Because Bill looks like he has had Botox injected into his face and hair implants to boot, I have a hard time watching their videos.
Although yesterday was a different story. I was home from church after a long night of dealing with a sick child (Brown Sugar does not do sickness well. She gets agitated and whiny). So, when I found the Gaither Gospel hour was playing I figured why not.
Besides the sappy interludes and the afore mentioned physical features of the singers I really enjoyed the music. Many of the songs that Bill and Gloria wrote are priceless and will go down in music history as being some of the most creative writing in Christian music. There were loads of those songs being played on my television yesterday. Oh, and I must say that gospel music sure has some of the best tenors in the industry. The four part harmony was downright spot on but their singing antics of moving around and gesturing (like putting their hand on their heart) was a bit distracting.

I wasn't going to make this a critique of the Gaither Gospel Hour but rather tell the tale of a very moving moment I encountered yesterday morning.
Brown Sugar might have a lot of energy but she also has a lot of compassion. She kept hearing the name of God spoken on the TV and she finally turned to me and asked "Where does God live?" I replied "In heaven". She thought for a moment and then said "I want to go to heaven right now." I asked her why. She said "Because I want to live with daddy and God". Aw!
When she talks like this I usually just sigh. But, right after she said this the choir on the TV broke into song. They were singing the chorus to Because He Lives.

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
My life is worth the living
Just because He lives

O-kay...that is when I started to cry! What a moment. Because He lives Eric is living. Because He lives Brown Sugar will hopefully see her daddy again.
Because He lives I CAN face tomorrow.
While crying, Brown Sugar climbed up into my lap and started to wipe away the tears. "No crying mommy, no crying" she whispered. "It's okay"....she's right.
It is o-kay - Because He lives!
Thanks Bill and Gloria for making my day.
~Heather

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What beautiful words to treasure from your little one!

Daniel's Helpmeet said...

I'm an in-the-closet Gaither fan also! We have a Christmas album along with some children's ones. My parents own several of their Homecoming DVDs. The local radio station here has a gospel hour on each night. It's the highlight of my day!

not2brightGRAM said...

Once again, the Lord shows up right when He's needed. Isn't He amazing? So tender-hearted.

(I won't hold your Gaither tastes against you, if you forbear my Petra tastes!)

Anonymous said...

Aww, that post made me cry! That song always gives me goosebumps! What a precious little one you've been blessed with. I've been following your blog since Eric died. YOU are an amazing woman! God's writing such an awesome story in your lives.

Kathyb1960 said...

Yeah, Bill is pretty crazy, but their songs are wonderful. I love watching some of the older Homecoming Videos that were recorded in the studio before they started going out on the road with it. That was before a lot of the older singers went Home to be with Jesus. And oh, so beautiful! You can probably find them at a Christian Bookstore. Look for the older ones! It'll bless you bunches! But I have to warn you, there are some tear-jearkers!

Unknown said...

I, too, like the Gaither's!

And Brown Sugar is such a cute little girl, and so caring of her mamma!

six2love said...

Heather,

I was just having a good cry after a hard day and looking at photos of David w/the kids, waiting for my dial up to load your blog. I was thinking how much these kids need their Dad and thinking to myself "you either have to believe in a really big God or you're in a lot of trouble." Well, the blog came up and your story about Brown Sugar was just wonderful. And that song! It's one of my absolute favorites and it's so true. Jesus is alive and because He is, I can go on. It's crazy I should need to be reminded, but I do! Thank you, Heather! For your faithfulness in keeping up this blog and your generosity to let others listen in on your life a little bit.

Hugs,
Sue

godlover said...

Beautiful!
Marj

Lesa said...

I too am a closet Gaither lover!

That song always makes me cry especially the last verse. It makes me want to shout!
Last verse -
"And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!"

Whoo - I get goosebumps just thinking about going home!

Brown Sugar is wise beyond her years. It takes some people a life time to realize what she already knows!