Going to See The King!

Generally speaking, I think of myself as being relatively Vulcan-like (as in ST’s Spock) when it comes to the control of my emotions.  There are some exceptions, of course.  Once in a while, my emotions betray me and I am reminded that I am not Vulcan at all.  The weekend has been a good one for family.  Charissa and Ryan were here for the Emmaus Bible College Decade (70th) Reunion.  It’s always a treat to have them here and we are always just a little sad to see them go back home.  Before they went home, however, we had the pleasure of attending the reunion banquet and visiting with old friends.  After the banquet, during the special program the “alumni choir” sang three numbers, one of which was “Soon and Very Soon”.   There were some choir/ensemble alumni who were present who did not practice with the choir … but they were, nevertheless invited to come and sing with them all on “Soon and Very Soon”.

Charissa, Jan, and Charity made their way to the platform and joined the choir.  As they began to sing … the tears came unbidden to my eyes as I watched the three of them … good friends still … and Jan and Charity still like daughters in some ways to Linda and me.  I did not know why the tears came … but they surprised me.   I tried convincing myself that it was the lyrics of the song …

Soon and very soon,  We are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon,  We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,  We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,  We are going to see the King.

No more crying there,  We are going to see the King,
No more crying there,  We are going to see the King.
No more crying there,  We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,  We are going to see the King.

No more dying there,  We are going to see the King,
No more dying there,  We are going to see the King.
No more dying there,  We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, We are going to see the King.

Seeing the King … no more crying … no more dying!  What a great prospect.

It wasn’t really the lyrics, though … it was watching “my girls” re-united and singing that song stirred me.  They’ve all had some challenges and disappointments and some have even had tragedies to deal with since leaving Emmaus with their degrees in hand.  But the King has been gracious and faithful … and has brought them through with a measure of blessing as well.  The only thing that could have made those emotions even sweeter would have been if “the Beast” had been standing there with them.  We love you too Bethany!!!

The rest of the lyrics are worth contemplating:

Should there be any rivers we must cross,
Should there be any mountains we must climb,
God will supply all the strength that we need,
Give us grace ’til we reach the other side.
We have come from every nation,
God knows each of us by name.
Jesus took His blood and He washed our sins,
And He washed them all away.
Yes, there are some of us,
Who have laid down our lives,
But we all shall live again,
On the other side.

God bless you all … my “daughters”.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We’re going to see the King!!!!!