A Very Special Sunday

I looked out the back doors of the sanctuary and whispered to my husband, “here he comes!”

My husband jumped up and ran out into the hall.

I watched as he hugged Declan and whispered to him.  Declan’s eyes got big and he nodded his head once.  My husband hugged him again and came back into the church service.

“He says he wants to do it!” My husband said and smiled.  I smiled back and turned back to the congregation and the song being sung.

Earlier that week we had discovered that Declan’s Sunday school class was going to be singing in the church service as part of the Christmas Pageant.

We knew about the pageant.  Catelyn had auditioned and secured the role of “Prophet #4.”  She had gone to weekly practices and really nailed her one line, “The Prince of Peace.”

(My husband and I had tried to goad her into really “owning” her role – you know – by flashing a peace sign and stressing PEACE.  In the end, I think we just annoyed her for a few weeks.  At least we got some family chuckles.)

But we didn’t know the different grades were each singing a song as well.

When I asked Declan if he had been practicing a song in Sunday school he replied:

“No.”

“Oh, okay.  So, you haven’t been singing a song in your Sunday school classroom.”

“No.  Not in the classroom.”

“So, you have been singing a song?”

“Yes.  In the music room.”

“Oh.  Okay.  What song have you been singing in the music room?”

“Let’s get ready a Savior’s coming.”

“Oh!  Okay!”

What Declan had not realized either, was that the song was to be sung during the church service.  On the stage.

For a week, he vacillated.  Yes, he would sing.  No, he would sit.  Yes, he would wear headphones.  No, he would not.

Zero pressure.  The choice was his.

And as the first graders filtered in, I went to the back of the church, smiled, waved to him and gave him a big thumbs up.  He could stand with me if he wanted or he could sing.

He chose the latter.  So, I filmed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltrIN3n6-GY

I smiled when he saw his Daddy waving and he waves back.  And at the end, he realizes his sister is sitting on the stage and points her out in excitement.

And he did great!

Although I missed Catelyn’s one, very well prepared for, line – I did get her on video singing as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0veJWce-Zwo

Another great job done!

We were so thrilled with the events at church this past weekend.  My husband, an all heart big softie, must have gone through a handful of tissues with joyful tears, telling people, “I never thought he would be able to do that!”  And to Declan and Catelyn, “I am so proud of you!!!”

I was also super proud of the kids and their accomplishments this weekend.  I was also happy to see the bigger picture.

In the past, I was afraid I was losing the presence of Christ in my children’s lives.

After being told Declan was no longer welcome at the last church we were members at (as I talked about in my post “Let (ALL) the Children Come to Me) I felt sadness towards the great big void in my children’s lives.  Where I was raised surrounded by Christ and church activities, my children were without.

In my life, I have felt such comfort in my faith through the years.  And I wanted the same for my kids.

But seeing the kids on stage.  Seeing the kids run to their Sunday school classrooms each week in eager excitement.  Hearing the big kids ask to go to youth group on Sunday nights.  Well, I am thankful to say my prayers have been answered.  My kids know Jesus.  ALL my kids!