Thursday, April 30, 2009

How Great Thou Art...

For the last 4 ½ years, I have been teaching a water aerobics class at the YMCA Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. It started with just 4 faithful ladies. Now we have something like 16 people that are on the roster, which is gratifying for me. But they are all older ladies and gentlemen ranging in age 56-82. They are so much fun…and I have really enjoyed the relationships I have been able to build form from this opportunity.

But today, something happened that had never happened before.  I found out one my ladies, Barb, had lost her brother the evening before. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 2 weeks ago. Although his death was not unexpected, his passing came faster than anyone really expected. I spent the last 10 minutes of class talking with her about the death (while we were exercising in the deep end), and how she was doing. As I called an end to class and we all swam back to shallow end of the pool to stretch, I felt impressed to bring up the last verse of “How Great Thou Art” to her. I asked her if she was familiar with the words. She replied she knew the hymn well, but couldn’t remember the specific words. I began to sing them, and before I knew what had happened, each of them had joined in. It turns out they all have marvelous singing voices! We sang together:

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!”

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to thee,

How great thou art, How great thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to thee,

How Great thou Art, How Great thou Art!

 One lady in particular, Helen (the eldest at 82) had a particularly lovely voice (and I’ve heard both the good and the bad…believe me).

It was strange and beautiful all at the same time…seven women in their swimming suits standing in the YMCA swimming pool singing. But as we sang, tears came to Barb’s eyes, and a small smile crossed her lips.  It was a small service, but sometimes those are the ones that make the biggest difference I think.

As we left, I caught Helen and said “You, young lady, have an excellent voice.”

Helen smiled (she is always smiling…but she smiled bigger) and replied very simply, “Thank you. God gave it to me.”

1 comment:

  1. What a fabulous moment! Thank you for sharing. I love Helen!

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