Decades ago, when the kids were young, we hosted seven men who were from a Bible School in Southern California. They were part of a revival week in our community. We had three from Africa, and one each from Indonesia, Canada, Alabama and Montana. It was a hectic week, but one of my favorite memories came the last night they were with us.
We were gathered in our family room, Bob and me, our three kids, my parents and Bob’s mother. After dinner, the three young men from Africa began to dance and leap while singing a simple song for the kids.
“Jesus’ love is very wonderful (repeat 3 times), so wonderful now! So high that you can’t get over it, so low that you can’t get under it, so wide that you can’t get around it, so wonderful now!”
As they sang, they asked the kids to join in the singing and dancing, doing the hand motions that went with the song. Seeing my children singing and leaping was such joy. The house was alive with the Joy of the LORD.
I am thankful for those memories of great joy. I am thankful that we opened our home to others. I am thankful for the times of celebration, worship, shared love. It’s just Bob and me now, the house is usually quiet, but I can still hear those small voices singing …“Jesus’ love is very wonderful, so wonderful now!” Amen!