This is the fourth week of exploring our Remarkable Faith, a series where we are reflecting on our most memorable moments in our faith walks. I’m saying “our” because I want this series to be an opportunity for you to share part of your own remarkable faith, not just a time for me to tell more stories about my life. So, check out the weekly topics and link up when you have something to say! And if you don’t have a blog but would like to share, please, talk to us in the comments.
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I grew up in a traditional, reserved Protestant church. We sang songs from the hymnal, accompanied by the piano or organ, and we recited prayers listed in the weekly bulletin. And every week, after the ushers collected the offering, we sang the Doxology.
Since those days, I’ve danced and sung at the top of my lungs at concerts, led worship for a packed room of students and sung with choirs that wore robes, choirs that wore jeans and choirs that [*shudder*] clapped rhythmically. I’ve shed tears in a room of hundreds looking up at a dozen mikes and amps, and I’ve done the same in a room of a dozen people and one guitar. And I’m finally comfortable bouncing around and tapping my foot in church, although I still hate forced clapping.
When I think of amazing worship experiences, I think of being so overcome at a college retreat and saying, “Yes, I will go” – without knowing where or to what I was being called. I think of the few moments when harmony came naturally and my voice meshed just right with the other worship leaders. I remember the mornings I spent with my closest friends and a guitar. And I think about the time I stood in the choir loft and watched a fellow alto and her father (in the congregation) lift their hands to worship in the same song, unaware of each other and moving me to tears.
But when a moment of worship strikes – a glimpse of God’s beauty in nature, a heart overflowing with gratitude for miracles simple and enormous, a moment spent gazing at my sleeping child - the words that spring from my heart are the same ones I learned as a child.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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Has a time of worship played a part in your story? Was a concert, a worship service or quiet moment a memorable part in your life? Do you have a remarkable faith?
If you write about this on your blog, please link up! (And remember, use the URL for your specific post, and include a link back to Giving Up on Perfect in your post so others can link up, too!)
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When I was growing up, my family sang the Doxology together, in harmony, around the table before every big family meal (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) Though my childhood was so turbulent, and so much has changed in my family that has colored the way I remember, the memory of this simple act of worship is still bright and beautiful to me.
Wow. What a great memory – especially if it’s surrounded by less great ones.
I LOVE the doxology. Of course, you already knew this about me because it happened to you too, but I also grew up in a protestant church that sang the doxology every week after offering. We visited a church this week and my heart literally swelled and I considered raising my hands when they sang it. And no forced clapping here, either. I generally fold my arms in protest.
Nice. I may have to consider protesting tomorrow morning myself. ;)
When you said you sang the Doxology, I had no idea what you were talking about. However, when you quoted it at the end, it was so familiar to me. I love those simple words.
I have been a little frustrated with the types of worship music that was popular. I love the return to scripture based worship music I’m seeing now. My favorite still tends to be the old hymns, reworked with a fresh melody. My husband sings “How Deep the Father’s Love” and “Come Ye Sinners” and I want to cry every time. The words are so powerful and the focus is on worshipping God. {sigh}
Growing up my pastor “blessed” the church every week before dismissing them by quoiting Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”
I grew up in a church that had a blessing at the end of the service, too. I miss that!
I hate forced clapping too! I love hearing about people’s music-related memories. The Doxology somehow says it all!
It takes everything within me not to groan or roll my eyes when the choir starts clapping. Because I’m IN the choir. So I have to clap – or look stupid. Or non-worshippy. You know?!
Thank you again Mary for picking a topic that made me work at digging deeper into my faith!
We sing the doxology every week at church. Probably a year ago, someone decided to change the more traditional words up a bit and my husband still sings the traditional words anyway. He’s quite the rebel. lol
Oh no. I don’t think I’d like it if someone changed the words to the doxology! I might be a rebel like your husband, too. :)