How Great Is Our God (World Edition)

Today I heard this version of this song on the radio for the first time. I had heard the English version many times throughout the last several years. In fact, the E-TEAM group I was apart of going to St. Croix used the song for a sign language presentation in 2007. With the memory of the song, and the words within it, this song has a special meaning in my life. Then, today, I heard this specific newer version.

When the song came on the radio my mom and I were in my car. Throughout the car ride we chatted throughout the whole drive. However, when this song came on...I stopped talking and instead I listened. Goosebumps traveled up my arms as a smile curved on my face and tears filled in my eyes. I told my mom, "Can you imagine? This is what it's going to be like in Heaven. All nations together worshiping God in our own languages. Except, regardless of language, we'll be understand one another."

Revelations 7:9

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands."

Can you imagine? Can you imagine standing in the streets of Heaven with believers from China, Uruguay, Bulgaria, Japan, Spain, (and so many more countries that I can't even begin to name)? What an amazing sight and sound this will be. I've been to worship services in Mexico, Japan, and Spain where English is not the primary language. It's hard for me to describe the feeling I get when I worship with others who speak a different language. It's on of the most amazing feelings and experiences I have ever had in my lifetime, and one I always look forward to while traveling.

This song puts me in awe and makes me excited. It's one reminder (of many) of why I do what I do. Why I travel and go abroad...Why God has given me the passion for missions that He has given me. It helps me imagine the bigger picture in a way my human mind can grasp, although I can't even begin to really fathom what it will be like in Heaven one day. This song inspires me.

The Travelin' Chick,

Crystal

"I Love You This Big!"

Part of Scotty Mccreery's I Love You This Big

"...I might look a little silly

Standing with my arms stretched open wide.

I love you this big

Eyes have never seen... this big

No-one's ever dreamed... this big

And I'll spend the rest of my life

Explaining what words cannot describe but, I'll try

I love you this big

I'll love you to the moon and back

I'll love you all the time

Deeper than the ocean

And higher than the pines...

I love you this big

Eyes have never seen... this big

No-one's ever dreamed... this big

And I'll spend the rest of my life

Explaining what words cannot describe but, I'll try

I love you this big...

So much bigger than I ever dreamed my heart ever would

I love you this big..."

Okay. If you look at all the lyrics of this song it is an obvious love song from a guy to a girl. However, in my case it's so much more.

The day of Ashley's burial service this song was playing on the radio. While listening to the song only certain phrases stuck out to me - mostly the ones I quoted above. As the music was being played through my cars speakers I kept hearing, "I love you this big..." thinking about, Ashley, my niece, and my love that I have for her.

Fast forward a month later.

The night before my birthday I was at camp with our teen girls from church. Once the room's seemingly endless chatter and laughter silenced, I found myself in my own little world of thoughts. Often in the silence I think about life and the recent events that have taken place.

This night specifically I kept thinking about Ashley. I kept thinking about how much I miss her and how I wish she was still with us. Thoughts of birthdays came to my mind, as I will never get to buy her a birthday present and/or she will never get to color me a colorful card with colorful crayons when it's my birthday. We will never get to celebrate each other's lives together. Before I fell asleep I couldn't help but think, "I wish we could be together on these special days in some way."

The next morning came around. As I awoke to my alarm clock the very first thing that came to my mind was the song lyric, "I love you this big..." This was stuck in my head for at least an hour.

Some may think this is just a weird coincidence that the song was being played the day we buried her, just to have me wake up to it the morning of my 20th birthday after a night of wishing we could celebrate together. They can think what they may.

In my heart I truly do believe this was a way for my niece to tell me, "Happy birthday, Aunt Crystal! I love you! I love you this big!" As I think about those words I think about Ashley in her new body, bigger then the mere 14 ounces she weighted on earth, stretching her strong and long arms out across Heaven sending her love and good wishes my way.

Hey Ashley - I love you THIS big - and I am NOT afraid to say it!

The Travelin' Chick,

Crystal