Next Thing You Know
by Matthew West
I remember when I was thirteen
I saw a picture on my T.V. screen
The Reverend Billy Graham and the people singing "Just As I Am"
And it felt like You were talking to me
And the whole world seemed to fade away
Until I heard my mother say "Son, are you okay? Do you wanna pray?"
And that became the hour I first believed
Next thing you know
I'm high and flyin'
Next thing you know
My heart is in your hands
Next thing you know
There's no denyin'
Next thing you know
I'm a brand new man
Well, I wish I could say I always stayed right there
And I did until my freshman year
But the world was pulling me a long way from thirteen
And You were calling but I didn't hear
Still I knew there was something more
So, one day my knees hit the dorm room floor
I said, "If you're there, and if you really care,
Come and talk to me like I was thirteen."
Got a picture in my head today of how heaven might look someday
I see the people there, so I pull up a chair
And their stories, they blow me away
'Cause I can see it on every face
The evidence of grace
And as I listen it occurs to me
Everybody's got their own thirteen
So, what's your story about His glory?
You gotta find your place in the history of grace
Yeah, what's your story about His glory?
Come on and find your place in the history of grace
Behind the Song:
"My dad always told me that the day you find God is a day you always remember. This song is my day, my story— my “thirteen.” I saw Billy Graham preaching on television, and felt this undeniable tugging at my heart. God’s presence was so strong that I couldn’t turn the channel. Well, “next thing you know” I was giving my life to Him, and that was where my journey of faith began. Everyone can have a story. Part of knowing where you’re going is remembering where you’ve come from. If you already know God as your personal Savior, then try to remember the moment that you made a change in your life. Hold on to that memory like a picture in your pocket, because that was a history-making day in your life! If you haven’t made that decision yet, it’s not too late. This is the most important decision anyone can make in life, and it will shape the rest of your history. So, what’s your story?" - Matthew West