I WILL SING

I will praise thee with my whole heart:

before the gods will I sing praise

unto thee.

I will worship toward thy holy temple,

and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness

and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified

thy word above all thy name.

Psalm 138:1,2

I never knew Granny Fancher very well. She and her two daughters lived next door to us. They lived in a fairly run down two-story house. Her two daughters lived downstairs and Granny Fancher lived upstairs.

On many spring and summer evenings, Granny would sit at her open upstairs window with a kerosene lamp on a table beside her chair. Down on the ground between both houses was my swing set. It wasn't some fancy thing that was store bought. My Dad had the swing set built with metal poles, welded to the safest degree. It was only big enough for two swings. I loved nothing more than swinging on a swing when the urge struck me.

There was something that was a real event for me that happened on one of those warm-weather evenings. After supper when I was allowed outside for a little bit of time, there was something strange that occurred. After her supper, Granny often sat by her open window and she would begin to sing. I remember in the beginning wondering about an old lady singing. Even in church I'd never noticed our older ladies singing. Granny would sing in kind of a crackly voice and it wasn't terribly loud but enough that I could hear her. She would sing “Amazing Grace,” “Standing on the Promises,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and other still familiar hymns. With some songs she sang, she rocked back and forth in the rocking chair.

Unknowingly, I probably learned some of those songs through Granny Fancher. As I watched, those hymns were reinforced in my memory because during many of those times, I decided to rock back and forth on a swing along with her. I would not recognize Granny if she were alive today. She so rarely left her upstairs apartment that I'm not sure how many people would have recognized her. I loved swinging with her singing until my Mom called me into the house.

I've been in a lot of churches and must tell you that I have often noticed whether I was in the choir or at a piano, that only about half of the people present participated in the music part of the service. I also observed that many of those non-participants were age 50 and older. There was a day when those golden folks sang heartily during times of congregational singing, but now, it seemed like their song was gone. I don't think Granny Fancher had any idea that there was a little six-year-old girl in her own yard, down below her window, watching and listening. That little girl was also participating as best she knew how to do it, taking part in Granny Fancher's evening worship.

In Psalm 138, David writes of three determinations in his life when it comes to giving God his undivided attention. He determines that he WILL praise God, Will sing praise unto God and WILL worship toward God's holy temple. The most progress I have ever made in my own life has been when I made some determinations to do things differently, spiritually speaking. I've enjoyed the most in spiritual freedom when I've determined that I WILL do something for the Lord. Even now, I need to determine to be more a person of praise and worship. Mixed in with the two is the fact that they cannot be done minus a feeling of gratitude. We are blessed people.

Take a look at Psalm 138 written by David that has only 8 verses in it. As one reads this Psalm, you or I can see clearly some of the characteristics of God for which we can be so very grateful: lovingkindness, truth, word, answers prayer, strengthens, His ways, His glory, respect, all knowing, revives, protects, saves, perfects, merciful, endures and His works. We can never cease finding things for which to be grateful. They are so evident throughout the Word of God. Each one of those things mentioned in that Psalm, God activates in your life and mine.

I'm grateful for the memory of Granny Fancher. The picture is as vivid one in mind...swinging on my play set to her music. I wonder how many people know you and I to be people of praise and gratitude. It'll take some determination on our part.

I WILL praise.....sing.....worship and will do it wholeheartedly.

Father, I'm so grateful for all You are in my life. I don't deserve an ounce of Your attention, love or provision but thank You for it all. Forgive me when I ignore You in my life and help me to stay focused and centered right down to the core of who I am in those things that matter to You. I love You and thank You for Your every work in my life. In Jesus precious name. Amen