It Gets Me EVERY Time

This past Sunday, the family and I scurried into church and got there just in time for the last song during the worship part of service {we've all run late once or twice, right?}. Anyway, the song that was playing was one that I just can't sing without getting choked up.

And it happened again on Sunday.

I had to stop trying to sing and just let the tears fall. The hubster, bless his heart, was trying to comfort me while I could almost see the question marks dancing over his head. To his credit, it doesn't really make sense that a song like this would make me cry. That is, it doesn't make sense unless you've been where I've been.

The first year I volunteered at Champions for Life Kids Camp is a year I will never forget. I learned of the horror of "everyday life" for many foster children in my area and my heart broke all over the place for these kids. They all had experienced so much pain...and yet...

On the last morning I left the little girl I was assigned to in the Sunrise Club, I was surprised to be told that I, and every other camper buddy, needed to go to the front of the room to watch what the children had learned that week before we went off to our activities.

These little faces.

These innocent and hurt faces beamed from ear to ear as they started to do the actions they learned while singing this song.

Holy Is the Lord: Chris Tomlin

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing

[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing
Everyone sing

[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
Repeat

And together we sing,
Everyone sing

[Chorus]

Holy, Holy, is the Lord Almighty
Holy, Holy
[Repeat 2x]

It's mostly the part in bold that broke me and I couldn't hold back the tears when watching the children sing and praise with this song. "It's the anthem of the Lord's renown"...A child who's life has been shattered by someone who was supposed to love them singing these words? Truly that is the anthem of the Lord's renown, is it not?

And here I go again getting all choked up. I guess you really had to be there. I'll just say, seeing the hurt and broken become free and joyful is a beautiful thing.

Nothing has moved me quite as much as the many experiences I now have working with CFL and the children I meet there. My love for those kids is right up there with the love I have for my own family. I only pray that they remember camp the same way and are still singing the songs they've learned with a smile on their faces.