Praise for His Glorious Grace

When my children were young and were perplexed, I would put music on for them.  After they became adults, they have followed the same tradition of listening to music or singing.  They're still lovers of inspirational music, and so are their spouses and children.  In fact, my grandchildren are hams like their grandmother; they'll break out in song on a whim.  They'll organize a "talent show" for the family dinners on Sundays, using a spoon or a flashlight as their microphone while they sing and dance like David danced to the Lord.  The best thing about watching them is that they only know church music and praise dancing.  Hallelujah!

I've always been quick to tell my family and friends how I feel when I listen to praise music.  A few years ago, with their encouragement and help, I even recorded an album of praise and testimony.

I still remember the Saturday morning when my daughter Vikki scolded me and told me I had to start work on this album that very day.  For several months we had been waiting to get started until my voice was clear from colds and bouts with a sore throat.  But that morning, Vikki said the Lord told her it had to be done that day.  Fortunately, the studio was in her cousin's home, and Vikki had called him to make sure it was available, as well as making arrangements with my accompanist. 

So I prayed and told the Lord that this project was dedicated to Him.  I asked Him to anoint me with the vocal ability and the songs of praise that would edify people and glorify Him.  Without any practice – just prayer and surrender – we went into the studio, and within two hours, our work was done.  The album is called "His Glorious Grace:  Testimony in Song." 

Ike Johnson, one of my preacher friends, told me that he cried the first time he listened to this music.  Ike said that the entire album was so anointed that he wept in his car.  He was soothed and so blessed that he wanted to share it with people who would not have access to it.  Now he buys a lot of these albums from me to take to nursing home and to the sick. 

I'm So Glad

I'm so glad my great-grandmother took me to church seven days a week.  I'm so glad my great-grandfather played "Prayer Meeting" with me.  Otherwise I might not have learned the songs of the church and been able to sing them in that wretched closet as a little girl.

I'm so glad I remembered how soothed I was in the closet, and I came to understand and believe that the same soothing power of singing could continue to bring comfort when I was depressed and angry.

I'm so glad nobody has discouraged me from playing praise music and singing it.

I realize that I will have many more ups and downs in the days of my life.  But I have an entrance to the Holy of Holies where I can meet God in praise, and He will rejoice over me with comfort and peace.  He'll always keep me singing in the good times and in the bad.  He is my High Musician who conducts the orchestra of my heartstrings with a symphony of His Glorious Praise.

He keeps me singing … because God is not through with me yet!

Excerpted from "God Is Not Through With Me Yet" © 2007 by Thelma Wells.  Used by permission of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.  Excerpt may not be reproduced without prior written consent.

Thelma Wells is a popular Women of Faith core speaker and the president of A Woman of God Ministries in Dallas, Texas.  She has received more than two hundred awards for civic, community, church and national involvement.  She has earned a master's degree in pastoral ministry, and is the author of several books, including "The Buzz:  7 Power-Packed Scriptures to Energize Your Life", "Girl, Have I Got Good News for You!", "What's Going on, Lord?" and "God Will Make a Way."