"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4
Most people, if I say the name Jim Hill, would say "who?" But if I say "What A Day That Will Be" (link goes to the words of the song), most people would say "I love that song." Last year I had the privilege of meeting Jim Hill. For a couple of years I had knew that Jim Hill was from around our area. I thought it was cool having someone who wrote a very popular Christian song from our area, but then I heard his testimony...
Jim Hill was saved (born again) at the same camp meeting that I have went to all my life. In fact Jim Hill married the daughter of the general superintendent of the church conference that I grew up in. Now that was very exciting for me to hear, but then he told the story of how the words to "What A Day That Will Be" was formed into a song.
He said that his mother-in-law became very sick. Of course sometimes when things like this happens we wonder why, but Jim Hill was a very new Christian at the time. So one day when he was coming home from work, he was asking God why this was happening to his mother-in-law. Then he said, words just starting filling his mind, but he did not have anything to write the words down. So when he got home he got out of the car and looked down and there was a old piece of cardboard. So he picked it up and wrote down the words to "What A Day That Will Be." The first person that Jim Hill sung the song for, was his sick mother-in-law.
You know this had to be a very hard time for Jim Hill and his family. But just the thought of if it had not happened, then we would not have the words to "What A Day That Will Be." The song has been an anthem of encouragement many times for many people. So maybe we should not tell people sometimes that they should not question God, because I believe if Jim Hill hadn't questioned why it was happening, then we would not have this beautiful song today.
4 comments:
nice song
hope for a tony win today!!
awesome race!!!!
Hi there,
Can you tell me what year JIm wrote that wonderful hymn, and if he's still alive? I'd love to make contact with him as my own gospel group might record "What a Day" on our next cd.
Many thanks,
Mark
I just noticed the comment from Mark. Well the copyright date is 1955 and it was copyrighted by Ben L. Speer. Jim is still alive but I really don't know where he lives. I would guess somewhere in Ohio (Southern Ohio area).
Post a Comment