There have been some requests for the lyrics to the song "Special," which Priscilla sang so well. This song was also included as part of her "Homegoing celebration."
The Glory, the Honor, the Majesty on High
Is so very special - can't be seen by mortal eye.
For eye's not seen, and ear's not heard what Jesus has prepared.
Something very special is waiting over there.
For God has gone to prepare a very special place.
One where sin cannot abound and It's never known disgrace.
Jasper walls and gates of pearl - shining 'round the throne.
We call it special, the special call it Home.
A land of milk and honey, transparent golden streets;
A special land that can't be walked by ordinary feet.
No more nights to hinder - just rejoicing 'round the throne.
A special robe upon my back, we'll sing a special song.
Remembering Priscilla McGruder
Leading by Example
There's a story about the McGruders that has always intrigued me. Maybe it's been more intriguing being that I loved them as much as I did, but I think it would have intrigued me even if I had not been the fan that I was / am. Priscilla speaks of it in her book - and I'll leave out most of the details that are given in a dedicated chapter to this topic, just so maybe it'll peak your interest enough to purchase it. And you can find it HERE!
Before I get to the topic, let me say, I was fortunate enough to get to watch some of Priscilla's funeral online before the site crashed and was able to hear what Bro. Nathaniel Wilson had to say regarding Bro. McGruder's care of her during the last phase of her life. Bro. Wilson mentioned (and I paraphrase) that Carroll McGruder had set a very high bar for others to follow in his care of Priscilla - one that most men would be unable to live up to - to make sure she was as comfortable as possible in her last weeks. As a former Hospice nurse myself, I understand very well the level of care that is required during this phase of life and it is very hard work that takes more perseverance than what many family members - especially husbands - can mentally or physically give. That is not saying that husbands cannot do this job well, but those men are not found very frequently. Sometimes the emotion of the life chang
es are so overwhelming, it is very hard and sometimes impossible, to find the strength to do what must be done. Hearing these comments from Bro. Wilson, I had no doubt what he meant by it. And after hearing this, though I needed no convincing, Bro. McGruder's character went up a several notches in my "book".
The reason this detail I just referred to is important, is because the topic that has always intrigued me about the McGruders is their marriage. They have always appeared to work well as a team and their affection towards one another was always obvious. If you ask him, he was her biggest fan. I always paid special attention to this because I was always captivated by the fact they had known each other for such a short period of time before saying "I do." Again, the specifics can be found in the book - in the chapter called "It's Too Good To Be True." But by a short period of time, we're talking less than 3-4 weeks of knowing each other. While I'm completely taken by this piece of information, and wouldn't necessarily recommend it to most single people I know, they were convinced they were God's intended for each other, and made it work. In addition to making this marriage work, there were two young children which Priscilla immediately became the mother of. She also speaks of their bond and her love for them.
Therefore, I have always been amazed at how awesome a responsibility she assumed and how confident they both were in knowing God's will and regardless of how tough it might or may not have been, they made it work. It would definitely be safe to say, they were tremendous leaders on this subject because of their example....all you had to do was take notice. It's almost a plague these days the way Christian marriages are crumbling in the church world. If we are looking for role models in a Christian marriage, here's a good place to start. A commitment was a commitment - regardless of the circumstances, and they definitely had some circumstances.
I'm grateful I had the opportunity to watch such a couple lead by example - showing us all what a great marriage looks like.
Before I get to the topic, let me say, I was fortunate enough to get to watch some of Priscilla's funeral online before the site crashed and was able to hear what Bro. Nathaniel Wilson had to say regarding Bro. McGruder's care of her during the last phase of her life. Bro. Wilson mentioned (and I paraphrase) that Carroll McGruder had set a very high bar for others to follow in his care of Priscilla - one that most men would be unable to live up to - to make sure she was as comfortable as possible in her last weeks. As a former Hospice nurse myself, I understand very well the level of care that is required during this phase of life and it is very hard work that takes more perseverance than what many family members - especially husbands - can mentally or physically give. That is not saying that husbands cannot do this job well, but those men are not found very frequently. Sometimes the emotion of the life chang
es are so overwhelming, it is very hard and sometimes impossible, to find the strength to do what must be done. Hearing these comments from Bro. Wilson, I had no doubt what he meant by it. And after hearing this, though I needed no convincing, Bro. McGruder's character went up a several notches in my "book".The reason this detail I just referred to is important, is because the topic that has always intrigued me about the McGruders is their marriage. They have always appeared to work well as a team and their affection towards one another was always obvious. If you ask him, he was her biggest fan. I always paid special attention to this because I was always captivated by the fact they had known each other for such a short period of time before saying "I do." Again, the specifics can be found in the book - in the chapter called "It's Too Good To Be True." But by a short period of time, we're talking less than 3-4 weeks of knowing each other. While I'm completely taken by this piece of information, and wouldn't necessarily recommend it to most single people I know, they were convinced they were God's intended for each other, and made it work. In addition to making this marriage work, there were two young children which Priscilla immediately became the mother of. She also speaks of their bond and her love for them.
Therefore, I have always been amazed at how awesome a responsibility she assumed and how confident they both were in knowing God's will and regardless of how tough it might or may not have been, they made it work. It would definitely be safe to say, they were tremendous leaders on this subject because of their example....all you had to do was take notice. It's almost a plague these days the way Christian marriages are crumbling in the church world. If we are looking for role models in a Christian marriage, here's a good place to start. A commitment was a commitment - regardless of the circumstances, and they definitely had some circumstances.
I'm grateful I had the opportunity to watch such a couple lead by example - showing us all what a great marriage looks like.
"Who's Gonna Stand For Jesus?"
Back in 1992, the McGruders released an album called "Livin' the Good Life." The first song on the album was called, "Who's Gonna Stand For Jesus" I can recall Bro. McGruder's introduction to this song on multiple occasions and his reference to the moral decline of our nation. He would, at times, reference recent events that had made the news making the decline more evident. Then they would sing this song.
The first time I ever heard Priscilla sing this song in concert, as soon as she sang the line of the chorus, "Who's gonna stand for Jesus in our day?" she raised her hand and said, "I will."
This memory was jolted yesterday as someone calling in to a talk radio station made reference once again to the moral decline which I heard Bro. McGruder reference, and Priscilla sing of, more than once. The caller made the statement, "Look how far we've declined in the last 30 years - what's next?"
It was 15 years ago when Bro. McGruder was referring to the poor moral condition of our country - and here we are 15 years later - in much worse shape now than then.
To my knowledge, I have yet to meet anyone who knew Priscilla McGruder who doubted where she stood! She lived what she sang.....and sang what she lived! This particular song offered a great challenge to each of us as Christians, and needs to be very applicable to our lives at such times as these. Just to refresh your memory, it went a little like this....
"We need to take our stand no matter come what may.
Preserve those Christian values in spite of all the world may say.
Christian soldiers, I'm enlisting - in this world I am resisting
Come on, let's stand for Jesus in our day."
I, for one, am ready and willing to carry on her legacy of maintaining the banner of Jesus Christ!
The first time I ever heard Priscilla sing this song in concert, as soon as she sang the line of the chorus, "Who's gonna stand for Jesus in our day?" she raised her hand and said, "I will."
This memory was jolted yesterday as someone calling in to a talk radio station made reference once again to the moral decline which I heard Bro. McGruder reference, and Priscilla sing of, more than once. The caller made the statement, "Look how far we've declined in the last 30 years - what's next?"
It was 15 years ago when Bro. McGruder was referring to the poor moral condition of our country - and here we are 15 years later - in much worse shape now than then.
To my knowledge, I have yet to meet anyone who knew Priscilla McGruder who doubted where she stood! She lived what she sang.....and sang what she lived! This particular song offered a great challenge to each of us as Christians, and needs to be very applicable to our lives at such times as these. Just to refresh your memory, it went a little like this....
"We need to take our stand no matter come what may.
Preserve those Christian values in spite of all the world may say.
Christian soldiers, I'm enlisting - in this world I am resisting
Come on, let's stand for Jesus in our day."
I, for one, am ready and willing to carry on her legacy of maintaining the banner of Jesus Christ!
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