Gratitude: Not Just a Song, but an Answer to Prayer — Sue’s Story

Gratitude by Brandon Lake is a powerful song in Linda’s and my life. Take a moment to read through the lyrics.

All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

 

For Linda and me, many of our memories are associated with music. They touch the deepest emotions and experiences of life. We know that music has the power to transform our thinking.  Our brain is not wired to be praising and thankful/depressed and negative simultaneously. We are doing one or the other. That’s why Gratitude became one of our favorite songs of 2022, both personally and professionally.

The other day we were talking about the song and the beautiful way that God used it in each of our lives. The stories are powerful, but very different, like two sides of the same coin. We want to share our stories with you this week as our individual stories of mementos that matter. You can read my (Sue’s) story below, and then come back tomorrow to read Linda’s. Music and its effect can bring a crescendo of emotion to our soul and also calm our quaking hearts. We pray that you will be blessed by our stories of musical mementos.

Sue’s Story

On September 25, 2022, our son Zach married his lovely bride, Lydia. Oh, what a day of celebration it was. I still recall that event like it was yesterday it is etched in my mind as one of my favorite moments. The occasion was both a day of release and a snap shot in time of God’s blessings and answers to this mama’s praying heart. From the moment of conception, I have prayed specifically for each one of my children. We know that we pray but our sovereign God  directs the steps of each one of our children. He also loves us so much that He gives us free choice.

As I reflect back on the years of parenting Zach all the way through college graduation and the start of his career, there were many prayers for his future. More than that, there were prayers that he would know Jesus as his personal savior and walk closely in relationship with him. I also prayed over his friends, his dates and his future spouse.

Shortly after his engagement he said to me, “Mom, I have been thinking what song we should  dance to for the Mother/Son dance.” I told him I wanted the song to be special to him, so he should think on it and I would dance to whatever song he picked. Several weeks had passed and he called and said, “I have chosen the song, Gratitude, by Brandon Lake. I asked him why he picked that song and he promptly said, “Because I am grateful for you and your prayer and support for me over all the years.” I stayed composed as we finished our conversation and as soon as I put the phone down, I cried a prayer of thanksgiving. I reflect on a journal entry from July 28, 2022, which I am including here.

In our book, The Sublime Soiree: God’s Invitation to the Party of your Life, we talk about music in worship to God Almighty. At times, I have been so grateful for God’s provision that I personally have had a praise party with Jesus. I often journal my prayers, and I write it down when I need to remind myself of God’s intervention or to record when a prayer has been answered. This was one of those days. I cried my prayer of thanksgiving, danced around my kitchen and wrote in my journal so I would not forget to remember. Friends, God does not always answer our prayers in ways we think he should, but He does answer. Linda’s experience is a case of differently answered prayer, and it illustrates His steadfast goodness, even in light of really hard circumstances. Come back to the blog tomorrow to read Linda’s story about Gratitude.