Worshiping

Last night was just an emotional night for me. The lesson for the kids was on "Worship" & how God wants us to worship. We touched on the verse in John 4:23-24 - "yet a time is coming & has now come when the TRUE worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit & Truth, for they are the kind of worshipers that the Father SEEKS! God is Spirit & His worshipers must worship in Spirit & Truth"

We got into the difference of worshiping in Spirit & truth & what that means We then took some time to let the kids experience what we just talked about - worshiping - which simply means bringing God into the center of WHATEVER you do! So you can worship anywhere, anyway, anytime. We chose to do it in a simple way. We gave everyone candles, turned the lights out, & we had everyone one by one walk to the other side of the trailer & write on a board what they were thankful for to God. While they sat in silence thinking about what they would write - we had music playing.

First of all - to have 22 candles lit is just beautiful - to see the kids sit & really reflect & come & write things they were thankful for - the start of emotion was already getting to me. But then the music - oh my! I'm someone who when certain songs are played or words in a song touch me - they can break me down! Music is just powerful to me.

Well - I brought my New Song Rescue CD - it is probably one of my all time favorite CD's! I use to listen to it EVERY day - no joke!! I've seen New Song in concert a few times as well & just am moved by their music. Well, during the last few weeks of Steph's life, she had this CD playing NON STOP in her room. The CD also has the dreaded/beloved/bittersweet song of "You Are Holy". But ever since she passed away - I couldnt listen to it anymore. It was just too hard. I know Ryan had a connection with this music as well so I warned him that I was using this CD. So when the kids start worshiping themselves, the music starts. The first song is the rendition of "How Great Thou Art" - here's a video of their singing it - its amazing!



This song is beautiful & makes me want to cry anyways because it reminds me of my grandmother, Teenie. She LOVED this song - it was even played at her funeral. Again - music & memories - a strong force.

Well, I stayed on the other side of the room with my candle so there would be extra light for the kids as they walked over - Ryan was in charge of the song playing - especially since he knew the CD as well as me. After that song, he automatically turned to the song "Rescue" - which is my FAVORITE song of all time (& I know - its not by Steven Curtis Chapman!) - I was in tears - this song just punches me in the heart. Afterwards - Ryan was saying that was his favorite song & he had to hear it himself.

For me - the emotion of worshiping with these kids was something wonderful. It was a beautiful sight to see & a beautiful thing to feel. I hope the kiddos got a true sense of what it meant to worship from the heart.