There are some songs that really touches my heart than others. For the most part I listen to praise and worship music the most. I love Casting Crowns, Mandisa, Rich Mullins, Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Third Day, Matthew West and a whole list of other Christian artists. There is one particular song that touches me more than any other Christian song. That song is Ray Boltz’s “Thank You”. If you have never heard the song, you should take a few moments to listen to the song.
The reason why this song means so much to me is that it speaks 100% of what my walk with Christ and how I became a Christian started. I will break down the lyrics as I go along.
I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.
And he said, “Friend you may not know me now.”
And then he said, “But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
These verses ring true to me because when I was around 8 yrs old, my mom would send all of to church with a lady from the Nazarene Church. I remember sitting there and looking around at the people. There was a huge difference from the way they lived in comparison to how I was raised. We were sent to church so we weren’t in the way. I don’t think we were sent there because we wanted to go. My parents never went to church. While I went to that Nazarene Church in Knox Indiana, God was implanted into my heart and I knew I wanted what they had.
There was a lady that was baptized in the lake, and I wanted to be baptized so badly. For me, I knew that Christ was the only answer in my life. He was the only positive thing besides my grandparents and cousins Allen and Raelene. God literally was my saving grace. To this day I have dreams of what it is going to be like when I meet Jesus face to face.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Prayers and praying has always been important to me. There were many in my life and they still do that have prayed for me. I honestly don’t think I would be here now if it wasn’t for God and prayers. There was this lady named Mattie Bennett. She went out of her way when I was a teenager. Because of Mattie, I write poetry today. Her son Harry Myers was the pastor at the Willcox Church of the Nazarene. I can’t even count how many times they have had to rescue me literally from what was going on in my life. Because of people like Mattie, my life has changed for the better. They cared enough to step into my crazy life and I appreciate that to this day.
Then another man stood before you
And said, “Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn’t have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
When it talks about how a missionary came to their church. We were having a revival at our church and the speaker was asking the congregation what would be the one thing we would fear if we were standing before God. At this point in my life, I never really had a fear of what to say to God. I think I was 11 or 12 at the time. But Pastor Harry’s daughter Cheryl stood up and said that she would be afraid to stand there in front of God and she would see someone she knew. When God asked her what it is that she done for Him, she went into detail. Then her friend was asked the same thing, and she said that nobody ever told her anything about accepting Christ. Cheryl’s comment stuck with me and it still does.
To this day, I think about her comment and I think I am the way I am because of it. I don’t have any issues when it comes to sharing my testimony or talking to people. I can get a bit over zealous at times though. So I have to keep myself in check. I have actually had nightmares about missing an opportunity to talk to those I love and care about it.
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.
I have tried to go out of my way to thank those who have made a difference in my life. Not only then, but now also. God has sent me so many friends, family, strangers and pets that I can only think of those people as blessings. When someone says that they didn’t really do anything, they don’t realize what kind of a difference they are making to those around them. As Christians, there are those who are watching our every move. We may not know we are making a difference, but each person is being used to advance the Kingdom of God. There are those who are set out to destroy also.
I think of how awesome and overwhelming it would be to look around and see all those people in heaven that has made a difference in my life. I honestly don’t think they would see themselves in the same way I do. I can’t wait to see all those who have gone on before.
And I know up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, “My child, look around you.
Great is your reward.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave
I can’t even begin to understand or know what to expect when I get to heaven. But, I know that it will be beyond anything I can imagine.
Lastly, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of those who have made a difference in my life. I have been blessed beyond measure. There aren’t enough words to describe how much I appreciate all of those who God has used as tools. Without all those people who came into my life, I have no idea where I would be. It is scary to think of how my life would be without Jesus Christ.
Listen to Thank You by Ray Boltz
Ray Boltz has a lot of wonderful songs. They are worth listening to and they will speak to your heart also.
Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless 