 Ok, this was weird, but it really did happen just like this… On Sunday, September 6th, I was having folks over for a Labor Day cookout. I was really excited because this would be the first time that several of them had been to my new home. I woke up that morning thinking that I didn’t have a thing in my overcrowded closet to wear. You know how that goes. So, before going to church, I took myself to Ross because I knew I'd find something without spending a lot of money, plus it was the only store I could find that opened at 8:30am. Just another reason to love Ross. I got there before the store opened, and while sitting in the parking lot I was listening to my local gospel station and I heard a song I didn’t remember ever hearing before. That puzzled me because I pride myself in knowing all gospel songs ever written – ok, not really, but I do know most of the classics and the popular ones and I was shocked that I liked this song so much, though I’d never heard it. I listened intently and then hoped and hoped that the DJ would tell me the name of the song and the artist. Turns out, it was a song by Tramaine Hawkins and the name of it was “I Never Lost My Praise.” It was released in 2012. How did I miss it? Anyway, right there, right then, I went to ITunes and downloaded it and I listened to it over and over again. The lyrics just spoke to me: I've lost some good friends along life's way Some loved ones departed in heaven to stay But thank God I didn't lose everything I've lost faith in people who said they cared In time of my crisis they were never there But in my disappointment, in my season of pain One thing never wavered, one thing never changed I never lost my hope, I never lost my joy I never lost my faith But most of all, I never lost my praise My praise still here, My praise still here I've let some blessings slip away When I lost my focus and went astray But thank God I didn't lost everything I lost possessions that were so dear I lost some battles walking in fear But in the midst of my struggles, in my season of pain One thing never wavered, one thing never changed I never lost my hope, I never lost my joy I never lost my faith But most of all, I never lost my praise Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise Most of all, I never lost my praise This song speaks my story. Now don’t you start feeling sorry for me -- I‘ve come out of my “season of pain” fully intact and better than I was when I went in. And during that season, I was able to hold onto my praise, as well as my sanity and my dignity, only because of God and the support a beloved group of family and friends. OK, now, fast-forward to the following Thursday. I went to rehearse with a group of people I occasionally sing with a church that's not my own. And the guy on piano said he had a song he wanted to introduce. Guess what the song was?! Yep. It was,”I never lost my praise” Well, I just about lost my mind! I told the group how I’d heard the song for the first time just a few days ago and how much I loved it. The piano guy had intended to ask someone else to sing lead on it but, most likely due to my crazy reaction, he asked if I wanted to lead it. Of course I did, but you know how church girls, do, I acted kinda shy about it and said that I would try, blah, blah, blah, while inside I was thinking “Heck yeah, I dare you try to give it to anyone else, that song is one I NEED to sing!” I sing it this Sunday and I have never been more excited to sing a song. I feel like I'll be singing my testimony and I'm praying that someone will be there who needs to hear it. I'm praying that someone will be blessed. I'll let you know how it goes. Join me on Facebook at Living In The Key Of Joy and on Twitter at In The Key of Joy. |
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