Monday, July 28, 2008

How Great Thou Art...



O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

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!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

I used to watch both my mom and grandmother sign this song in church, I would even catch my grandmother singing it around her house from time to time. Both of them have even sung it to me as they lay me down to sleep. I am blessed to have memories like these.

There are times I question how great God truly is when I see people living in the conditions they do here (Eastleigh), when I hear of terror and hate in people all over the world, why is there sickness, why is there hunger, why do people die,why does God allow these things?

I question because (I think) it is human nature. Then I even go as far to question myself- Am I a bad person to question God's greatness?

I have seen his greatness here as well as at home in the states. Here there are over 50 kids who have a safe place to live, food to eat, clean clothes and that are not on drugs or glue. In the states I have a home, a career, two beautiful children, friends and family.

I guess I can answer some of my own question-The greatness of Eastliegh is the students that have lived the was they did making the choice to move out here and learn a better life, they were given a choice, a chance if you will...

And back to my grandmother she died almost 17 years ago and when she did I was very angry and still am from time to time that she is not here. But the greatness comes in the fact that I had time with her at all, I got to know her and love her...and the calmness comes because I know I will see her again.


3 comments:

Mom said...

We will both get to see Grandma again - Love always, Mom

iris said...

Darren,
You have just brought new life to this already amazing song. I'm so please I knew your grandmother and you shared "your story". Enjoy your last few hours with the kids, the staff, the farm, the school and the country.
Be Safe...you are in my prayers.
iris

iris said...

Emily,
Oops...I'm so sorry.
I just realized you posted "How Great Thou Art". I'm glad to know it was "Your Story"...after all...I know Darrens'. I promise to be more careful.
God Bless,
iris