Story and Meaning behind "The Family of God" by Gloria Gaither "It was Good Friday and the kids had come home early from school. We had just put the Easter eggs we had dyed on Thursday night in the big yellow basket filled with shredded paper grass when the phone rang. A voice on the other end of the line said, “There’s been an explosion at the Faust garage. Ronnie Garner was badly burned. He got out of the building just before it blew apart. But he isn’t expected to make it through the night. Some of us are gathering at the church to pray. Call someone else, ask them to pray, and to keep the prayer chain going.” I hung up the phone and called Bill at the office. I gathered the children around to pray for this young father from our church. Then I called a few others I knew would join us in prayer. Only later did we get the rest of the story. Ron was working overtime because he and Darlene needed extra money to pay for heart surgery for their daughter Diane. He was alone at the car dealership and repair shop, cleaning engines with a highly flammable substance without thinking to open a window for ventilation. He was working below a ceiling furnace with an open-flame pilot light. When the fumes from the solvent reached the flame, the whole garage blew apart. When he heard the first roar of the furnace, Ron tried to open the garage door, but it was jammed. By some miracle, with his clothing on fire, he managed to squeeze through a tiny space before the big explosion. From Methodist Burn Center in Indianapolis we heard that the doctors had decided not to treat Ron; it was no use. There was little chance of success, and the trauma of treatment itself could push him over the edge. But friends who gathered at the church prayed all the more fervently for Ron, for Darlene, and for their two little girls. All through Friday and Saturday night, the church prayed. With part of our hearts we believed, but, to be honest, with the other part we braced ourselves for the predicted news. A weary and somewhat tattered group gathered for church on Sunday morning. We lacked the optimism typical of an Easter celebration. The pastor wasn’t there at first; we knew he was with Darlene and the family. No one felt like singing songs of victory. Resurrection seemed a million light-years away. But as the music began, a few weak voices sang less-than-harmonious chords of well-worn Easter songs. As we were making an effort at worship, our pastor entered from the back and made his way up the center aisle to the platform. His shoulders were slumped, his suit was wrinkled, but there was a glow on his stubbled face as he motioned for us to stop the hymn. “Ron is alive,” he said. “They said he wouldn’t make it through Friday night, so they’re amazed he’s alive today. The doctors don’t understand how he’s hanging on, but we do, don’t we? And because he’s still alive, they’ve decided to start treatment.” A chorus of “Amen!” and “Praise the Lord” rose from the congregation. We all straightened in our seats like wilted plants that had been watered. “We’re going to thank the Lord,” Pastor McCurdy said, “and then we’re going to see this thing through. This is just the beginning. There will be many needs. The family will need food brought in. Darlene may need help with the kids. They may need transportation back and forth to Indianapolis. Ron will need gallons of blood for transfusions. And they all-the doctors too-need prayer. Let’s think of how each of us can help. We are, after all, the family of God. Now let’s pray.” We stood and as one voice thanked God for answered prayer and for the reality of the Resurrection. Sunshine streamed in through the windows to warm more than our faces and the room. It seemed that the light of the dawn of the very first Easter morning had come to our weary souls. What a service of rejoicing we had! No sermon could have spoken as articulately as the news of Ron’s life and answered prayer. We sang the old hymn: Low in the grave He lay-Jesus, my Savior . . . He tore the bars away-Jesus, my Lord! Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!” (Robert Lowry) My, how we sang! And then, You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart! (A. H. Ackley) We were full of joy and victory as we left the church that noon, loading up our families into cars for the trip home. In the car Bill and I said to each other, “You know, the amazing thing is, they’d do that for us too.” We weren’t model church members, Bill and I. We were gone virtually every weekend, barely getting in from a concert in time to make it to church Sunday morning. We were never there to bake pies for the bake sales or to attend the couples’ retreats or to teach in Bible school. If you had to pull your share of the load to get the family of God to take care of you, we would surely have been left out. “But they’d do that for us,” we marveled. When we got home, I checked the roast in the oven, changed the babies, and sent Suzanne off to put on her play clothes. Bill went to the piano, and I heard him toying with a simple, lovely tune. “Honey, come here a minute,” he called from the family room. He sang a phrase, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. Dah, dah, dah, la la la-la, la la la-la.” I grabbed a yellow legal pad and a pencil. The roast was forgotten as we were both consumed by the beauty of “the family,” and I put our hearts into words: Now you’ll notice we say “brother” and “sister” ’round here; It’s because we’re a family and these folks are so near. When one has a heartache we all share the tears, And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. . . . We finally did have Sunday dinner, though the roast was a little overdone. On Monday I deviled our Easter eggs, and our life went on, but we were never quite the same. Pastor McCurdy was right: that Sunday news was only the beginning. But, then, the Resurrection was only a beginning too! There were months of trips to Indianapolis. Many made casseroles and babysat and cleaned Darlene’s house. Most sent cards of encouragement and notes assuring the Garners of continued prayer. Ron had many skin grafts and experienced much pain, but finally he came home to their house on John Street. Eventually, he went back to Anderson College and finished his degree in athletics. He became assistant coach at Alexandria High School and fathered two more children. Diane got her heart fixed and is now a high-school teacher. And one of the children, not yet born at the time of the fire, is one of the top female athletes in the state of Indiana. And I am filled with joy that the same family that stood by the Garners in a thousand ways has stood by us too. We don’t deserve it; we haven’t earned it. We were just born into it. They treat us like royalty, because we are! We’re children of the King!"
My heart needed to hear this beautiful music this morning! I am apart of the family of God sisters and brothers! ❤✝️🛐🙌🏻🌅 I grew up playing records in front of our fireplace/stereo in our foyer of our house where I grew up, listening to the Gaithers and Danny I loved all of their children music also and still do I play them for my grandchildren. They will always be a part of my life until the day I draw my last breath. Now my husband loves them also.❤
I am too so glad to be part of the family of God , joint heirs with Jesus and washed in His blood . Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah Amen!
Saved in a little church in Ozone Arkansas in 1984 while visiting friends. Back in Missouri I joined an independent Pentecostal church, Ozark Bethel Chapel. Wondered away for several years, worrying about cares of life. 1999 my boss, and especially her husband coaxed me to attend their church, New Hope Nazarene. In 2006 I moved to an independent church, Sunrise Bible Church while having close ties to New Hope church. In 2010 I moved to a Southern Baptist church, Goodwin Calvary Church. A long time friend is Pastor there. The Lord has kept me safe and provided for many years, I could never thank Him enough. The reason for this testimony is to explain how God has came through one more time. I'm confined to the nursing home nowadays and can't make it to Church. Usually about 8-10 attend the little church that's about 2 miles from pavement. 😁 "Family of God" is our opening & greeting song. Now I can sing with the Gaither's Sunday morning. THANKS!
I've looked at most of the comments and see that each of you is my sister and brother. I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God! I love y'all all! See y'all at the wedding feast of the Lamb!
I remember seeing the The Gaither Trio in the fall of 1978 or the Spring of 1979 at old Kiel Area in St. Louis. Fantastic blind of voices with Bill, Glory and Danny. What a voice Danny had.
Every time I hear the Gaither Vocal Band my heart is encouraged, to press on, and "HOLD THE FORT ". SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK WHEN THE HEAVENS OPEN IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE JESUS. vince Baltimore, MD.
This was one of the first times I had seen the gathers on t.v. it was a blessing then, but is a greater blessing to keep me grounded, safe in the arms of Jesus, my savior my promise of eternal life, by his blood. Have this on a 33 and a third record..
Remember seeing this recording, and recordings of other groups on a Sunday morning television program out of Columbus, Ohio compiled and hosted by Bill Swad, who owned a large Chevrolet dealership in Columbus as well as pastoring a church there. Groups such as the LeFevres, Speers, Henry and Hazel Slaughter, and other popular groups of the day were featured.
Blessed greetings to everyone. It's July 12, 2022 and I've been singing the chorus throughout the day. What an encouraging song for *true believers*, those who are saved, confessed there sins to Jesus Christ and washed in the blood of the Lamb. God bless the Gaithers
Esse vídeo me passa uma saudade de um tempo que não vivi mas sinto falta. Lindo louvor! Gostaria de conhecer esses servos de DEUS algum dia! Pr. Cássio Roberto.
It's Good Friday 2022 and I found this video on your RU-vid channel. I have to tell you that I enjoyed it so much. Pease post more oldies. Thank you for giving me years of joy through your music. -Monty
William Gaither was very handsome those days.... and mam Gloria also very beautiful those early years of marriage.... thanks for sharing this experience..... i always love you Gaithers
I've always loved the song, and remember it well. Thank you for sharing the amazing story behind the song! While the circumstances are different, I've seen the same over and again. Thank God for Family!
This is what they looked like when they came to the place I was raised for a revival. Oh my goodness. Also for most of my life I thought they write this for the Shepherd's Fold
This makes me want to look and see what books Ms Gloria has written. This was a blessing and even today you see the hand of God on you both as you are ageing well with joy and peace instead of wrinkles and worry. Love yall
From another deplorable, so glad I stumbled on this particular video. I had the greatest respect for Bill and Gloria, but it just leaped to a greater degree of magnitude. Thank the LORD for their Ministry!!!
Joan For Christ. I remember them in concert with HENRY and HAZEL SLAUGHTER in the 70s in this pyramid building in Wichita Kansas. that was a long time ago. but that's the power of the Holy Spirit.
🙂🙂🙂 Gloria and Bill, I've loved and treasured this song for many decades. Today is Easter Sunday, and while watching your Easter program, it brought back memories of how much I treasure this song. I never knew the story behind it until today. It grabbed my heart and touched me deeply. Tears of joy on such a special day and so unexpected helps to remind me that I'm still a part of "The Family Of God." No greater gift than this could possibly occur on this very special day of Easter. Love and deep appreciation to both of you for the story, the song, and the joy beyond words, (Chase) 🙂🙂🙂
NOTE: For anyone wanting to see the video I mentioned above this ("Gaither - Easter Marathon 2023"), just click the RU-vid link below this: (Chase) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vemImyzsVbY.html
If I didn't know that was Bill and Gloria Gaither, I don't think I would've known then (although I recognized Danny Gaither almost right away) also, can somebody tell me if Gloria Gaither ever sings by herself? I've asked this before and people say she's sang with the Gaither Trio, but that's not what I asked. I've seen dozens and dozens of Gaither vides and I have NEVER heard Gloria sing by herself (EVER). And when she does do something, she's always talking in the song. Has anyone EVER heard her sing by herself? and if so, can you post the video?
Google "God Gave The Song" on their"Alleluia" Album. She does that one solo. I remember it well, I heard it first in 1976 not long after I made Jesus Lord of my heart. Her voice is quite angelic!
well family of God - the date is March 2, 2022 and I am more thankful I have been a part of the family of God now for over 71 years - you see I was 9 when I said YES to JESUS and he said YES back - come aboard the family ( you can do the same today - just say YES to the Son of God, Jesus Christ who indeed died on the cross to save you from the coming wrath that God is getting ready to pour out on this planet...we are going to be taken UP and into our eternal home H E A V E N - called rapture - read about it in the Bible and say YES today
