Years ago, Julie and I received incredibly wise counsel that we have applied to both our marriage and our parenting. With respect to gift giving, we were encouraged, as often as we could, to provide experiences rather than things. While things can be fun and meaningful, they can also tend to wear out, break, or end up stored in a box in the garage. Memories, however…
With this in mind, balanced by the “as often as we could” perspective of the counsel, we began initially by creating birthday milestones with the girls. At 10, a special trip with Mommy. At 13, the family vacation revolves around your likes and interests. And for 16, it’s New York City for your first “date” with Dad.
While we have always dated well, Julie and I realized the encouragement applied to our marriage as well. With that in mind, over the last several years, we have worked toward creating special occasions and getaways for one another. Sometimes it’s just us; sometimes it’s with good friends. At all times, it’s life-giving and 100% worth the time and investment.
This past week, Julie got to “open” her Christmas/birthday present which involved a few days in Nashville with some friends for the purpose of seeing Carrie Underwood in concert. Now don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a completely selfless gift… I would gladly listen to Ms. Underwood sing the phone book… Wow, what a voice!
To say we enjoyed the concert would be a massive understatement. Massive. But it was a moment about 2/3 of the way through that transcended everything else.
At the last note of Jesus, Take the Wheel, she immediately transitioned into the chorus of How Great Thou Art:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
I didn’t realize it until the tears were dripping off my cheek… There, in downtown Nashville, in the Bridgestone Arena, among thousands of cowboy hats and even more boots, tons of glitter and rhinestones… in the midst of greatest hits, wardrobe changes, special guest appearances, and a whole lot of people singing along, HE captivated my heart and my attention. It was a “small” but God-sized moment. A reminder that He is everywhere, always at work, and the only One deserving of my praise and adoration. I didn’t sing. I didn’t applaud. I just stood there in awe and reverence and took in the moment. I didn’t get a t-shirt or a poster. But I walked away having experienced my Savior in a way I won’t soon forget.
Then sings my soul!