Lord I just want to thank you.

Lord I just want to thank you.

Lord I just want to thank you.

Thank you for being so good to me.

Behind those soulful melodically expressed words were sung and unsung stories. These were stories of hope and great sorrow. These were testimonies of achieved victories, and of great losses being sung. Yet, in the midst, a leading to the after this, and arriving to an I overcame it, there is a thank you Lord!

A mother of the church stood to her feet, clapping her hand offbeat to the song. Her testimony? She was given countless negative reports in regards to her health. You see this mother was given a timetable to set her home in order; her expiration date was close at hand. This mother refused to accept such a report, especially when she served The Master Surgeon and efficient nurse! She called Him Jehovah Rapha the God of healing. He who makes the bitter water turn sweet.

From somewhere up front came the sound of a washboard. A unique and rare percussion instrument that is almost extinct today; it became quite popular by the end of the 20th century. The history of the washboard: The washtubs surface metal bent ridges that were used for washing laundry, was altered, by slaves – thus becoming the brass sound we hear today.

The massive sound of hand-claps continued, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of the congregation’s foot stomping worship. I now, more than everm am convinced that the presence of the ancestors was evident that day. The song flowed on. Suddenly the music stopped, only the sound of “the people,” could be heard. There was no discord, which was a testament in of itself, it was… harmonious. The younger generation decided they would not be left out; they too joined in the “Thank You!” movement.

Lord I just want to thank you.

Lord I just want to thank you.

Lord I just want to thank you.

Thank you for being so good to me.

Unashamedly there were tears of remembrance, joy, breakthrough, healing and deliverance being shed that day. Another member sang his testimony of thank you because at one point in life he was not the man of valor God had chosen Him to be. He almost lost his family and friends due to a strong addiction. He hit ground zero, no one could reach him, — his addiction was simply too powerful for him to hear, too empowering for him to feel, and in spite of it all, deep down within himself, he heard a voice. It was small at first, so small he almost missed it. He latched on to that voice and followed it with all that was left within him. It was a fight, a battle of life and death.

That day he answered the voice of God, and has been following God’s voice ever since. His relationship with family and friends are now restored. This young man hailed that voice as Jehovah Nissi -The LORD Our Banner.On the pulpit there was a living testimony. One, who had been tried through the fire, carried on when no one else did or would.

Pastor Rosa Meredith moved with the “Thank You!” movement. She would remember the report that her son wouldn’t survive to reach the age 11. She remembered that there was nothing too hard for God. The mother continued to stand tall singing her testimony. Another stood up singing and clapping, and then another, and another. Until a link of hope and glory was formed! No one was left alone; no one would be over looked. The washboard’s crass beat continued on, matching the words of our hearts.

Lord I just want to thank you. In spite of failures and the many mistakes made. You forgive.

Lord I just want to thank you. In spite of negative delivered reports. You heal and provide.

Lord I just want to thank you. In spite of rejections and the many shut doors.

Thank you for being so good to me.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7).

(Editor’s note: Vanessa Richardson can be reached at 532-4343.)