Joyful Noise
I have a lot to share about my weekend but I am kinda tired and just really want to share this one thing with you. I'll do weekend recap tomorrow.
I was walking into the sanctuary today after Sunday school and was going to sit with the singles...on the piano side.....but there was this one spot next to this woman just one row back and for whatever reason, I decided to sit next to her.
She had down syndrome and like many down syndrome people, she was full of GREAT joy. She talked so sweetly to me and though she looked older than me....her spirit was fresh and young. She had on bright purple and was "lookin good" for church...those being her own words. It was just darling.
I share all this because when we stood to sing "Great is the Lord" this precious woman opened her mouth and sang....
.....with everything she had. I can't explain it. It's not like she had the most beautiful voice....but it was the best picture of making a JOYFUL NOISE that I have ever seen. She had her head lifted up and a big smile the entire time she sang. The love of God seemed to just ooze from her. I was so taken back by it. I just wanted to stop singing and listen, you know.
During the welcome time I told her how much I enjoyed hearing her sing. Her response to me was "I really love Jesus!" YES SHE DID.!!!!!! I didn't need to know that, because it was already written all over her worship of HIM!
The song that was the kicker for me was "As the Deer". She started to move her hands around like leaves were falling or the wind was moving and she had her eyes up looking to the sky....all the while...she sang the words...
"As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone will my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship you".........
It makes me cry even now, thinking about it. "YOU ALONE ARE MY HEARTS DESIRE and I LONG TO WORSHIP YOU"..........this woman worshipped like she was standing it the presence of GOD! When she said the words, hearts desire, she gentle put her hands to her heart and I could barely sing. I felt my throat close up and ever since then I have been in the mood to cry. Oh how I forget that our worship of God sometimes..if not always, is a stronger testimony than words.....actions speak louder than words, right! The way I lift my voice to Him should always be without restraint and without hesitation. Just a sacrifice of Praise! He is listening for our individual voices....I want to worship more like her.......because I long to worship HIM........
I was walking into the sanctuary today after Sunday school and was going to sit with the singles...on the piano side.....but there was this one spot next to this woman just one row back and for whatever reason, I decided to sit next to her.
She had down syndrome and like many down syndrome people, she was full of GREAT joy. She talked so sweetly to me and though she looked older than me....her spirit was fresh and young. She had on bright purple and was "lookin good" for church...those being her own words. It was just darling.
I share all this because when we stood to sing "Great is the Lord" this precious woman opened her mouth and sang....
"Great is the lord,
He is holy and just
By his power we trust
In his love
Great is the lord
He is faithful and true
By his mercy he proves
He is love
Great is the lord
And worthy of glory
Great is the lord
And worthy of praise
Great is the lord
Now lift up your voice
Now lift up your voice
Great is the lord
Great is the lord!
.....with everything she had. I can't explain it. It's not like she had the most beautiful voice....but it was the best picture of making a JOYFUL NOISE that I have ever seen. She had her head lifted up and a big smile the entire time she sang. The love of God seemed to just ooze from her. I was so taken back by it. I just wanted to stop singing and listen, you know.
During the welcome time I told her how much I enjoyed hearing her sing. Her response to me was "I really love Jesus!" YES SHE DID.!!!!!! I didn't need to know that, because it was already written all over her worship of HIM!
The song that was the kicker for me was "As the Deer". She started to move her hands around like leaves were falling or the wind was moving and she had her eyes up looking to the sky....all the while...she sang the words...
"As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone will my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship you".........
It makes me cry even now, thinking about it. "YOU ALONE ARE MY HEARTS DESIRE and I LONG TO WORSHIP YOU"..........this woman worshipped like she was standing it the presence of GOD! When she said the words, hearts desire, she gentle put her hands to her heart and I could barely sing. I felt my throat close up and ever since then I have been in the mood to cry. Oh how I forget that our worship of God sometimes..if not always, is a stronger testimony than words.....actions speak louder than words, right! The way I lift my voice to Him should always be without restraint and without hesitation. Just a sacrifice of Praise! He is listening for our individual voices....I want to worship more like her.......because I long to worship HIM........