We don't know why God does these things

... but sometimes things just happen for a reason.

I don't know exactly why this morning turned out the way it did, but when my daughter and I left the church this morning, I knew that things had turned out the way God wanted them to.

My daughter sing together regularly. Our music committee has a schedule of people who provide special music during the three services, and she and I usually contribute something every quarter. It's just enough for us. It gives us time to prepare and find something suitable for a worship service. The chairperson of our music committee e-mailed me at the beginning of the fall and asked if Virginia and I would consider being on the "spare" list, meaning that if someone had to make a switch and was stuck, we would fill in. I knew it was meant to fill "last minute" needs, but I didn't ever anticipate if being as last minute as it was. As in yesterday morning at 9:30 a.m.

I received a call from an obviously sick gentleman who was supposed to sing this morning, but as of yesterday, he was quite ill. There yet another sick gentleman who had cancelled for the same reason, so I was asked if Virginia and I would consider singing at both morning services.

Well, Virginia was at work yesterday all day, and I had to go out last night at 6:00. There would be very little practice time, and it definitely ruled out doing anything new. I do have some selections which we have yet to do, but I knew those would require more practice. So, what should I do? Well, I picked something I sang on my own because when I called Virginia at work to see how she felt about it, she said she didn't want to sing with me because she would be unable to practice. She didn't mind if I sang something alone. So I practiced that piece yesterday. It was something people had liked and responded to, so I thought I'd be okay.

But then at about 4:00 in the afternoon, I thought of a song Virginia and I had done a couple of years ago. I love this song. It's called "Your Grace Still Amazes Me." Yes, I'm aware it's not a hymn. And yes, I'm aware that it's a contemporary song. However, we have a very mixed congregation and variety is appreciated. Besides, while the words may not be Isaac Watts, I thought the words were good.

Here are the words:

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS:
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

CHORUS

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see

CHORUS

If you know this song, you'll know that the bridge -- the "it's deeper" part -- is done as an echo. We did that. And Virginia sang the chorus with a soprano harmony above my alto lead.

Now, this song at the key needed to accommodate both of our voices pushes me a little at the the bridge. It makes me sing the highest note I can, which isn't really high, because I don't have a great range. But for some reason today, despite only practicing this song four times, we managed to put forth one of the best efforts we have ever done, i.e. any bumbling on our part didn't detract from the message of the words. One of my friends said it made her cry.

Hey, as long as the message of the song -- the grace of God -- was heard, I'm happy.

I don't know what the other gentleman was supposed to sing, but I think this was obviously the message that was required today. The pastor's message was about the effects of the Fall and how there is nothing broken that God cannot mend because of Jesus Christ. How's that for serendipity?

There are no co-incidences.