This morning our church’s music ministry took a break and we had a silent mass. Our priest loves silent masses. He’s not big on fluff, pomp and circumstance. He delivers a great message but in a very concise manner that has earned him the nickname “Father Fast”. Music slows his delivery.
However, this morning as mass came to a close he held a songbook in his hands and asked that we all sing a song we know so well no accompaniment is needed, “America the Beautiful”.
Let me preface the conclusion of this story with this. Our church isn’t real big on music. Some churches have choirs and bands and the congregation sings as if their lives depend on it. Other churches, like ours, rely on the talents of our music ministers (and they are talented!) to carry us through the service.
So Father asked that we honor our nation’s veterans with a verse of America the Beautiful. Our voices filled the church, “O beautiful for spacious skies . . .”
It seemed as the hymn wore on we gained strength, “. . . for purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plain.”
I don’t know about anyone else but it’s been a while since I’ve made it through America the Beautiful or the Star Spangled Banner without a few tears.
“God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”
Thank you veterans for your service. I won’t and can’t pretend to know the sacrifices made by your families. I can only offer a simple, humble and so very sincere thank you. Thank you for giving me the privilege of living this not so glamorous life.
Read more 30 Day blogs starting with My Generation. And follow more of my 30 Days of the Not So Glamorous Life of this Farm Wife:
- Day 1: Hunger Games. Hungry Planet.
- Day 2: Chili, Children, & Checkers
- Day 3: My Very Fairy Farm Princess
- Day 4: Sunday School Lesson
- Day 5: Wackie Day. Wackie Cake.
- Day 6: Tricked Out Tractor
- Day 7: God Bless Teachers
- Day 8: Just Breathe
- Day 9: Meet My Farm Boy
- Day 10: Date Night
[…] America the Beautiful […]