Saturday, April 4, 2015

Children and Worship


The sound of a baby crying.  The thump of a book as it hits the floor.  The twirl of a skirt as a little girl dances.  The mischievous grin of a toddler from under the pew.  Hands held out. Arms open wide. Smiles, frowns, tears, wiggles.  These are the sights and sounds that I see from my seat in church. To be honest – sometimes it’s distracting.

The wiggling, giggling, paper crumbling, back and forth from the bathroom stuff that goes on. But I'm put in my place when I hear the voice of Jesus saying “Let the little children come to me.”  Jesus knows that those “distracting wigglers” belong.  And really, what am I distracted from when that prayer book hits the floor?  Possibly my grocery list or what I need to do after worship.  If and when I put my mind around it, in the right way, those distractions can actually can be what focus me on the Cross and my Creator.  For all of us are created in the image of God; adults and children alike.  And all of us, children too, are called to worship God our Creator.  Who am I to say that the twirling, frowns, tears and giggles aren't worship.



So, bring it on – the crying, the thumping, the twirling, and dancing.  Hands held out, arms open wide – for they belong, we all belong - to the kingdom of God.  

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