Several days ago, Brother John and I were texting and the subject of returning to church services came up. I've thought about that Sunday morning many times. Can you imagine the day of rejoicing that will be all over our country. As I was watching the Wednesday night prayer services online last night, I kept seeing the names "join in" and everyday, I miss these special friends more and more. I miss their sweet greetings, their smiling faces, the sweet spirit being in service with them. I pray soon we will all be together again, worshipping together.
I remember going to family reunions as a child. There was always so much excitement, seeing cousins and other family. Everyone laughing and enjoying one another. I always remember, there was an aunt or somebody who would always come up to you and say, "Oh my, how you have grown" (or something like that) while pinching on the cheek or a pat on the head. Last fall, we had a couple of family events and I realized with the passing of time, I have become that person who goes up to the nieces or nephews and proclaim, "Oh my, how you have grown". I never wanted the family events to end and have to go home.
I remember the last high school class reunion I attended. (I said I was not going back to one because everyone I went to school with was old. LOL) I remember when first arriving, I didn't recognize anyone, but after a short time of socializing, everyone soon began to look (well at least in my mind) like they did when we were in school. I guess what I'm trying to say, that even though the years had passed and we all had changed, we knew each other as we once knew each other and the years didn't seem to matter.
With the quartets, I always enjoyed being invited to sing at Church Homecomings. Upon arriving, I did not know anyone other than those I was with. But with "dinner on the ground" and everyone fellowshipping, it wasn't long until you felt right at home. The afternoon singing was amazing. Old members, current members and visitors all singing and worshipping together. It didn't matter, they may have not seen each other in years or may never met at all, they were enjoying the wonderful time together.
That brings me back to a few weeks from now. The sweet "homecoming" we will have in our churches. There is no doubt in my mind it will be a day of rejoicing, a day of Christian fellowship, a day of prayer thanking God for his blessings! But as glorious and joyful as I'm expecting that day to be, it can't compare to the day represented by the song I woke up to this morning. It's on page 310 in the Redback Church Hymnal, "That Will Be A Glad Reunion Day". And that's a happy meeting that won't end, it will last throughout all eternity!
Written in 1940 by Adger M. Pace, it has been sung and recorded by so many. I have enjoyed scrolling thru You Tube all morning listening to various recordings. (It's very enjoyable with a cup of coffee.) I was so pleasantly surprised to find a recording that I had never seen or heard before. it was from a Charlie Waller singing in Atlanta in 1995. "That Will Be A Glad Reunion Day" was being directed by Happy Edwards. Wallace "Happy" Edwards spent his entire professional singing career with The Harmoneers Quartet. His always happy, jovial personality earned him the nickname and he was the center of attention for this remarkable quartet. He is also one of my all time favorite tenor singers. The video "technical quality" may not be that good but the "quality" of the older gospel singers you may recognize in this clip, in my opinion can not be denied. I hope you will enjoy!
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