The Gift of Music, Service, and Thanks
by Charlie Griffin Over the last few weeks, this writer has had more than a plateful to get done. But that is the case with most people these days. So, I thought I would not write anything this month. No ideas, no research, so I was good to go. But just when you think you have a plan, the door opens to another opportunity. This week, I was standing in line at a local eatery when a lady tapped me on the arm and said, “I know you. You’re that gospel singer.” I replied that I sang gospel music, yes. She continued, “You came to my church and I just want to tell you what a blessing you were and are to me.” As I listened to her story, we both ordered and sat down together for a biscuit and conversation. She went on to say that she was at the point of giving up on life. But in her despair, God gave her hope through a song. Ada (first name only) shared, “You see, I have been really down in life. I lost my husband this year and just struggling to make ends meet. I’m all alone, because our son died in Iraq. (It’s) been rough, (I) even thought, is it worth it? And, why am I here?”
She continued, “I really enjoyed your singing and preaching. So, I thought I would buy your 3-CD special to help out on your mission trip. Over the next few days I played your songs all the time. There are three songs that just touch me. “Still Holding On’ really describes how I feel. (It) seems no one really understands, but that song says it all. Then I heard ‘Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me.’ I just listen (to it) over and over. You see, I really do have more to be thankful for than I can ever say. But the last one is ‘Now More Than Ever.’ I sing that song off and on, every day. You see I just can’t make it without God. That song is my prayer. Your songs make me just praise the Lord. God is mighty good to me.” As I sat there, I got teary eyed. The conversation seemed so surreal. I’ve heard people comment on singers and their songs, but I had never had something like this conversation happen to me. What this lady did not know was how important her gift of words were to me, and they were given at a time when I needed them. Sometimes after all the miles, the songs, the messages,