HOW GREAT THOU ART

GIVING GOD THE GLORY IN THE NEW YEAR

“How Great Thou Art”… as we move into this new year, what better words are there to focus our minds on: How Great Thou Art. I know this past year has been tough and hard for many people, and I think it goes without saying that it has been the most difficult year of mine and my family’s life.

We miss Allorah every single day. To say this holiday season is hard would be a complete understatement, but we have survived it. I believe we survived it gracefully. We ensured Ella had the best Christmas she could possibly imagine… She deserves it. She carries me and Allison through most of our days, and I sometimes wonder if at 4 years old she can feel the weight of me leaning on her and needing her.

I’ve come to learn that a smile is a gift from God. Laughter is a gift from God. A hug is a gift from God. I’ve even come to learn that crying is a gift from God. It’s an action that he has given us to release the emotions inside of us. I can’t tell you how many times I have cried and afterwards I instantly feel better. These are such small things that I have never thought of as being gifts that God has given to us. When you are in a place that you think you will never smile or laugh again, and you are finally able to muster a smile – You realize how much that simple action can change your mood and your attitude and instantly create positivity.

I would say that mine and Allison’s faith in the Lord is strong, but I’m not going to write this and pretend that my faith hasn’t been tested. It’s been heavily tested, and it is probably not done being tested.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1: 2-4 NKJV

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Romans 5: 3-4 NKJV

‭‭I think one of the greatest things I have learned when we face trials and tribulations, is for us to be thankful. That has helped me in so many ways. Stop thinking about the suffering, and look around at everything I have to be thankful for. This is something we all can do as we move into this new year.

Most of us have probably suffered in some way this past year, so let us look around at all we have to thank God for… but let’s not forget what all has happened in 2020. We can use this year to grow and give more honor, glory, devotion, and service to God.

For the past 5 months when someone would ask me how I was, I would say I was okay or I was alright because I couldn’t honestly say that I was good.
Well I am going into this new year saying that I am good because I have so much to be positive about and so much to be thankful for:

I am thankful for Allison who is the strongest person I know and has carried me through my hardest days. She is such a Godly wife and mother and she carries her faith for all to see. I am thankful for Ella who at 4 years old has endured more than most do in a lifetime, and yet her laugh and her smile seem to have become even brighter. I am thankful that God gave me the opportunity to experience Allorah’s wonderful life and to be her father. I am thankful for this new gift of this little boy who will be here very soon. I am thankful for family and friends who have done more for us than we could possibly imagine. I could keep going, but most importantly I am thankful for God and Jesus Christ who came to this earth and died for every single one of us.

How Great Thou Art that you simply gave us this life

To live, to love… to smile, to cry… to laugh, to hurt… in times of joy in times of strife

How Great Thou Art that you sent your only Son

When he died on the cross He completed His plea… “Not my will but Yours be done.” And He did that for you and for me

How Great Thou Art that everyday you show us your love

Knowing we have a home in heaven for those who do the will of the Father above

How Great Thou Art that in times of suffering we can still find joy

Having hope that one day we will be in glory

On a personal note:

How Great Thou Art that you gave us our girl

To have and to hold in this one day ending world

How Great Thou Art that you allowed us to experience her love

What a glimpse we may have received of that home above

How Great Thou Art that she lives forever in heaven with You

And the peace You give us knowing one day we will see her, too

Don’t take for granted the life you have today or the life of those around you that you love.

Remember even though you may be suffering, His word says:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:18 NKJV

‭This world isn’t the end, and our death isn’t the end. We can have that home in heaven through complete obedience to God.

“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”

Hebrews 5:9 NKJV

My favorite part of the song “How Great Thou Art” is,

“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 then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”‭