Westminster Abbey

This morning I attended services at Westminster Abbey. Since I'm on vacation, I wanted to do it so that I could say that I had. The service was much different than anything I've ever experienced, but I must say it is definitely the most elaborate building I've ever attended services in. There was even a full choir - and the acoustics were incredible. Bro. David would have loved to have one of his choirs in here.

I must admit, I went to this service more for the experience than anything else. But like God always does, He had a word for me here - actually two.

As I was drinking in the music, the first four part harmony I've heard in a long, long time, the choir began to sing Psalm 30. As they came to a close, the last few words were for me:

You have turned my mourning into dancing:

you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;

therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing:

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Then, just to make sure I stayed attentive throughout the service, the Lord had a hymn planned to the tune of "Sing we all of Christmas, sing we all noel." I immediately was on my toes - a Christmas song in April??? Turns out it was the same tune, but different words. I have no idea the name of it, but it was written by John MacLeod Campbell Crum. Here's the last verse:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

thy touch can call us back to life again,

fields of our hearts, that dead and bare have been:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Now, I know that a cancelled vacation is not the biggest deal. Others have had much worse problems than I due to the volcanic ash cloud, but I believe that God cares about all of our lives, even the "small" things. At times we all face great disappointments. These words that He gave me today remind me that He knows and He also wants me to know that He knows and that He still cares and has it in His plan. And that's the greatest comfort of all.

The front of Westminster Abbey.