Worship Shapes Us
Take hold of every opportunity. Don't miss it. Especially, when there are kids involved. There is no formula, no discernible pattern, but Divine activity happens when you consistently put yourself in the position to see it. Most often, I miss it. But occasionally, I don't and I get to experience the mystery of God in action. Recently, I have noticed my awareness is heightened when worshipping with the church and my children next to me. Particularly, when I'm holding one of them because their ears are right next to my mouth, making it seamless to whisper explanations of what we are singing about. As this took place a few Sundays ago, I knew I needed to capture this moment with Birdie, taking it all in, while standing next to the people who have shaped my faith more than anyone else, my Mom and Dad.
Moments before, Birdie was in my arms as we were singing Jesus Strong and Kind, and these profoundly simple truths touched my head and my heart simultaneously:
Jesus said that if I thirst, I should come to Him. No one else can satisfy, I should come to him.
Jesus said that if I fear, I should come to Him. No one else can be my shield, I should come to Him.
Jesus said if I am lost, He will come to me. And he showed me on that cross, He will come to me.
Birdie can't use the potty yet. She sleeps in a crib and just learned to walk a few months ago. She loves to scream at the dinner table... really loudly and ignores our pleas for her to stop. So she has no idea what these words mean that we are singing. She does not know why we gather with the Church to sing, pray, listen, encourage, confess, and receive the Sacraments. But, she will know soon. She already attempts to sing the notes when she thinks she's not the focus of another's attention (good luck, she's dang cute). While all of this is flying way over her head she is being formed by habit... and also the Spirit of God. Christ is present with his people when we gather and he draws us into communion with the Trinity. Holding onto this reality, Molly and I's present goal is to put Birdie in a position to soak it all up and be shaped by others walking in the steps of Jesus of Nazareth.
Birdie's offerings in the worship gathering presently include: fits about snacks, ripping the pages of my fancy Bible, giggling at the people around us, fighting with Cosette over a toy, and... precious snuggles. Y'all, there is nothing better than Birdie's cheek smashed on your shoulder when she's here for the snuggles. But also, even more wonderful are the moments when her eyes have locked in on something upfront. Whether it is a loud band passionately singing on stage or a Priest declaring the gifts of God for the people of God, when I see her eyes caught up in the mystery of what is happening, I realize the gravity of what is going on in the room and in these people and especially my daughters. I am fully convinced the gospel is the hope of the world. Before anything else, I want my daughters to trust the mystery that Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again; I want their entire lives to hang on that confession.
So when I saw my nineteen-month-old standing on a kneeler to peak over the edge of the chair in front of her, I was drawn into the wonder and mystery of God. Birdie doesn't understand any of this yet but I trust she is being shaped by the church's worship, prayers, and the present ministry of Christ in his gathered body. God is at work in all moments in all seasons for those who have the eyes to see, I am grateful for the ways God is opening up my eyes today.
May Birdie and Cosette not simply watch but be drawn into deeper participation with you, ever-present and faithful God.
