Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I guess this story started at my friend John's funeral June 25th. The service was at our church and John had selected some songs for us to listen to. The second selection was Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Chris Rice. I love Chris's version of that old hymn.

A few days after his funeral I contacted my friend Kortney. I've written about her before. Heart transplant and double lung transplant at age 30. I known her since she was in 8th grade. Youth group kid.

Anyway, we set up a coffee date for July 9th. That morning, shortly before leaving for our favorite meeting place, I opened up YouTube to kill some time. That's when I noticed a video by Chris Rice. Yep, the same guy who sang Great Is Thy Faithfulness. What was he doing in a hospital bed, I wondered. So I clicked on the video.

Chris was thanking everyone for prayers as he was about to be taken in for surgery - a heart transplant.😳 Just like Kortney had 6 months ago.

Okay. I'm now on high alert. I had an uneasy feeling as I drove to meet Kortney. I arrived at the agreed to time and location. Kortney was not there. Maybe she forgot (not likely) Now, I'm sitting here writing this story. No reply to two texts. She is now half an hour overdue. 

Well . . .

My friend had simply slept through her alarm. Understandable considering that she was up until 3am. This demonstrated something to me. About me. About all of us.

Did you check my reaction when something that was SUPPOSED TO happen, DIDN'T? My brain began coming up different scenarios all by itself. And, of course, I fixated on the worst possible one - my friend was in the hospital. So, I began to pray.

I think we're ALL kind of wired that way. We want answers. We want everything to be okay. So, why do we navigate to the worse possible scenario in our brains? Is it us? Is it Satan working on us to create this uncertainty?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not afraid of bad news; have a strong heart, and trust in the Lord. ⁸Have a stready heart; and do not be afraid." - Psalm 112:7-8 (Bob version)

Maybe I should have just started singing that old hymn.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with thee.

Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,

Great is thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed thy hand hast provided;

Great is thy faithfulness,

Lord unto me.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Chris Rice