Carrying Sheaves: 10,000 Reasons

I always loved the song "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" by Matt Redman. It reminds me to give thanks for each new day, to look for and name all the ways God is good to us, and to never stop praising Him. We were still singing the song quite a bit at the church we attended in Tennessee when my sister passed away in 2018.

I cried a lot in church after MaryJo died, but especially each time we sang the third verse:

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Forevermore

The verse made me confront the reality of what happened to MaryJo, that she really died. It also brought to the forefront of my mind my regrets: I didn't spend her last days with her holding her hand, I didn't get to see her one more time, I didn't buy her those alpaca mittens she debated about buying the last time we were together, I never traveled overseas to visit her, and more.

When Oliver died a year later, the same verse brought me joy. As a mom, I had seen my son live out those words, and I was so proud of him. He fought for life but was at peace. He remained funny, amenable, and thankful in his last moments. Watching Oliver, knowing how God was there with him, giving him strength and welcoming him home, gave me peace about MaryJo's last moments, and gives me peace about my final moments someday too.

As I daily name big and small reasons to praise God, I am reminded of His character and of how He always keeps His promises. He has defeated the grave and has gone ahead to prepare a place for us. He is always with us. He sent His Son to die in us place.

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Psalm 103:1

Forevermore.