It was back in 1968 I believe, I had one of the greatest opportunities a teenage boy could ever have. One Sunday evening during the middle of youth choir practice, Ms. Wade said, Gary, David, David and Bob, I want to see you after practice. I had to sit there the remainder of choir practice wonder what did we do wrong and how much trouble are we in. But to my surprise, Ms. Wade said she wanted us to be a quartet. She wanted us to practice a few songs and sing for the congregation. I was excited. I don't know if I was excited about singing in a quartet or not being in trouble.
If you have read my morning posts, you know I grew up loving good old church songs and gospel music. I had heard the stories of Dad singing in a quartet for a short time. I so remember Dad, a few nights before he died, telling his pastor about how I use to sing. The pastor inquired and I told him I retired. Dad told him, I didn't retire, I quit. Well, Dad had the correct answer.
The boys quartet practiced several times over a couple of weeks and Ms. Wade thought we were prepared to sing. The first song we sang before the congregation was "Jesus Is Coming Soon". I was thinking we would sing a few times at church every now and then, but it wasn't long before we were being invited to sing at other churches in the area. Over the next several years we sang in lots of services in churches and auditoriums. It was a thrill for me but more importantly a great opportunity to deliver God's word in song to lots of different people.
Earlier this year, one of our sweet church members, Pat came to me and said she wanted me to join her and start a quartet. I felt the same joy, as when Ms. Wade asked me so many years before. Pat, Sue and Rick had sang numerous times as a trio and now Pat wanted me to sing with them. I was so very honored. A lot has happened since the Sunday evening with Ms. Wade but one thing has remained the same. Just because I can't sing, doesn't mean I won't sing. LOL Of course, I told her I would love to sing with them. Then the virus happened and church services were suspended. But a few weeks ago, Sue came to me after church and said why didn't we try to sing "Jesus Is Coming Soon". I could have shouted!
Yesterday, I had the privilege of singing with Pat, Sue and Rick, "Jesus Is Coming Soon" before a church congregation. What a joy to be able to sing for our Lord and sing His praises. As I looked over the congregation and saw all the precious faces it brought back so many amazing memories. I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunities God has given me.
I woke to "Jesus Is Coming Soon" this morning and I am feeling so very blessed. Over the past couple of weeks, I have thought so much about the song and the times I have been able to sing. I've listened to the sound track we were going to use many times. And then yesterday, the privilege to once again to sing it for my Lord! God is so good and has been so good to me!
I hope you will enjoy these You Tube videos. These are the earliest videos I could find of how I remember the song when I first started to sing. The first video is from Sunday morning's "Gospel Jubilee". I hope The old Inspirations (young then) will be blessing.
A little later, recorded singing in front of a congregation.
Have a ever told you I love The Inspirations? I pray you will have an amazing Monday!!!
So glad you are singing in a quartet again and wish I had been there. I know your Mom and Dad were listening from heaven and rejoicing over you being well enough to sing in church that beautiful song. I believe Jesus is coming soon and we will all be rejoicing together with our Lord and Savior!