Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Children in Worship Revisited
It is no secret that we like to have our kids in worship with us and if I were a good organized blogger I would direct you to my original post on this issue, but I am not so only today's thoughts count!
We had missed 4 Sunday's in row in our church, and we were all looking forward to once again worshiping at Westminster today. I walked in a bit late and the big kids were all in "our" pew and Jon was in the pulpit area(tomorrow he'll read this and remind me of the technical name and I'll edit it) preparing to lead the confession of sins. I walked into the pew with Creed, and did my usual telling of everyone to scoot down to make room. Creed was so excited. He wanted to plop himself down on the pew just like everyone else. I could tell by the expression on his face that he was pleased as punch to be there. It reminded me of how excited he was to walk back into our house after being gone for almost 4 weeks. He was happy to be home; both the home we live in and the home where we worship with our fellow believers. Sure he is only 15 months old and he doesn't always last he whole service and sure he doesn't "listen" to everything, but it amazes me what he does take in. He can't talk and tell me what he has heard or learned, but if I watch his face and his body language, I know he hears and God's word does not fall void. Not only do I know that he does hear, but he partakes as well. He stands when we stand, he sings(and dances ;-)) when we sing, and I say the Lord's Prayer in his ear knowing it won't be long before he knows it himself.
Yes it was good to be at Westminster today with our covenant family worshiping all together. I am forever thankful for a church that cherishes worshiping with its children. It is a great gift they are given. You decide who gets the gift: the adults worshiping with the children or the children worshiping with the adults. I am quite certain it is both.
We had missed 4 Sunday's in row in our church, and we were all looking forward to once again worshiping at Westminster today. I walked in a bit late and the big kids were all in "our" pew and Jon was in the pulpit area(tomorrow he'll read this and remind me of the technical name and I'll edit it) preparing to lead the confession of sins. I walked into the pew with Creed, and did my usual telling of everyone to scoot down to make room. Creed was so excited. He wanted to plop himself down on the pew just like everyone else. I could tell by the expression on his face that he was pleased as punch to be there. It reminded me of how excited he was to walk back into our house after being gone for almost 4 weeks. He was happy to be home; both the home we live in and the home where we worship with our fellow believers. Sure he is only 15 months old and he doesn't always last he whole service and sure he doesn't "listen" to everything, but it amazes me what he does take in. He can't talk and tell me what he has heard or learned, but if I watch his face and his body language, I know he hears and God's word does not fall void. Not only do I know that he does hear, but he partakes as well. He stands when we stand, he sings(and dances ;-)) when we sing, and I say the Lord's Prayer in his ear knowing it won't be long before he knows it himself.
Yes it was good to be at Westminster today with our covenant family worshiping all together. I am forever thankful for a church that cherishes worshiping with its children. It is a great gift they are given. You decide who gets the gift: the adults worshiping with the children or the children worshiping with the adults. I am quite certain it is both.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A realization of Joy and Sorrow
Creed learned to walk while we were visiting in KY. He gave up crawling just about the time we headed to Jon's parents' house in E-town. The weather was absolutely beautiful most of the time we were there and even bordered a bit on chilly for us newby Texans. This meant we spent a lot of time outside. His parents have a rather long, wide concrete driveway, and Creed walked and walked and walked some more, up and down and up the driveway. He never tired; he never got enough. One day as he was pacing the drive(and if you know us pacing is genetic; they get it from Jon), he stopped and did this thing he does when he is extremely happy. He held out his arms, clenched his fists while rotating his arms back and forth. Then he grinned really big with his teeth clenched together and squealed while drawing in a deep breath. He was experiencing pure joy at that moment. 15 months old, pacing the driveway with sidewalk chalk in hand, and the wind blowing the whispies of his hair--could there be anything more joyful for him.
It struck me how I have known the deepest sorrow and experienced the greatest joy through the death of Knox and the life of all 6 of my children. Not only for me, but I have also seen the expression of heartwrenching grief and smiles of pure joy on the faces of my children. All of this, the extremes and the inbetween, have passed through the hands of God. I am thankful that He has made us who we are.
I wish I had captured "the look" of joy as only he can give it, but I haven't caught that look quite yet. I offer this picture instead as he is definitely experiencing joy; the joy that comes from being able to toddle all over a playground and slide by himself for the first time.
which reminds me of this picture of Knox
It struck me how I have known the deepest sorrow and experienced the greatest joy through the death of Knox and the life of all 6 of my children. Not only for me, but I have also seen the expression of heartwrenching grief and smiles of pure joy on the faces of my children. All of this, the extremes and the inbetween, have passed through the hands of God. I am thankful that He has made us who we are.
I wish I had captured "the look" of joy as only he can give it, but I haven't caught that look quite yet. I offer this picture instead as he is definitely experiencing joy; the joy that comes from being able to toddle all over a playground and slide by himself for the first time.
which reminds me of this picture of Knox
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
August 2009 Book Log
55. Heaven Misplaced: Christ's Kingdom on Earth by Douglas Wilson
56. A Billion Bootstraps: Microcredit, Barefoot Banking, and the Business Solution for Ending Poverty by Philip Smith and Eric Thurman
57. Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour (for Peggy)
56. A Billion Bootstraps: Microcredit, Barefoot Banking, and the Business Solution for Ending Poverty by Philip Smith and Eric Thurman
57. Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour (for Peggy)
Two Little Blonde Boys
Creed and my nephew Finn...how do you tell them apart?
Skinny Finny and Meaty Creedy. Sorry folks, it is the best I can do. ;-)
Skinny Finny and Meaty Creedy. Sorry folks, it is the best I can do. ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)