Focus Dinner – Wonder and Beauty

Each year our church hosts a dinner for the church members and goes over the previous year’s high lights, budget and casts a vision into the next year. I always enjoy hearing the vision of leaders in our lives. There’s so much value in understanding the direction the organizations around you are going in. There was nothing that particularly stood out to me at this event until the end.

Our pastor got up and talked about how grateful he was. This wasn’t what got me though, It wasn’t until the final song…

… I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

… And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

… I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

… And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)

… ‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me (oh-oh)

… And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
(I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing)

… ‘Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

This song always gets me. God has been so faithful through my whole life. It’s easy to look back and see his intricate weaving of protection, provision and favor like only He can give. During this song, they played a slow motion black and white video of baptisms over the last year. Our youngest was in the video along with some of our dearest friends and kids from our homeschool group that I lead. This visual along with the words of the song gutted me. I lost it. Tears began freely flowing in the middle of the song surrounded by everyone in the church. It was so breathtaking to be reminded of how good we have it. Our children love the Lord. What more could we ask for?! We are surrounded by dear people who also have children that love the Lord! The richness of community, fellowship and love is impossible to describe.

Among all of the chaos, to-do lists, and overwhelm, I often lose sight of the whole point of this crazy thing we call life. I say it a lot, but my heart often isn’t paying attention as it swirls in the chaos I fill my brain with. A wave of peace washed over my weary heart as I absorbed the gratitude that surrounded me for this incredible life God has given us. Praise the Lord Almighty!

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Ed Cash / Brian Mark Johnson / Jenn Louise Johnson / Ben David Fielding

Goodness of God lyrics © So Essential Tunes, Capitol Cmg Paragon, Bethel Music Publishing, Shout! Music Publishing Australia