Gather Little by Little

Photo by: richardmasoner

Something you probably don’t know about me is that I sing. Well, I used to anyway. I sang in choir and did solos while in Junior High and High School and then was in Church choir and sang solos at church until I was in my late twenties. Not really sure why I stopped, beyond just life keeping me too busy.

The very first solo I sang in Church was the song Thank you by Ray Boltz. You don’t really hear much about Ray these days, but during the late 80’s and early 90’s, Ray was huge in the contemporary Christian music scene. He sang beautiful songs with deep and meaningful lyrics.

Here are the lyrics from my all-time favorite song of his, and from my first church solo I ever sang. You can also listen to the song here on YouTube.

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, “Friend you may not know me now.”
And then he said, “But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart.”

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, “Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn’t have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today.”

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

 One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, “My child, look around you.
Great is your reward.”

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

May God bless all of you that serve and give to the Lord. Don’t ever forget the eternal difference you may be making in someones life.