Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say
That you’re my God …{From “Here I Am to Worship“}
Church is always an adventure with kids. But here we are, finding our way to “our seats” in the second row on the near side of the sanctuary like every Sunday morning.
I feel like we announce our presence when there are any pauses in songs with the toddler flinging her cup because after being once desperate for it she’s moved on to something else, the middle boy wanting to play and move when he gets distracted from the words on the screen, and the oldest asking questions.
Our row typically includes much movement, some extra kids, and the crinkling of fruit snack packages.
This past Sunday, I was fresh off two steroid shots the day before because the low-dose one I got three days earlier wasn’t clearing up my poison ivy. I was still wanting to claw my arms, chin, and neck off, but the two new shots were working.
And making my hungry, thirsty, and restless.
So I ate some fruit snacks (hello, mom purse) during the songs … and, yes, I shared with the various kids around me. I drank from a water bottle. I tapped my leg more than usual. I wrangled my youngest who ended up falling asleep on Greg, which is a rare treat and one I was slightly jealous was happening on my husband.
There was a tornado of normal kid and mom activity in my row Sunday. And then those lyrics from a worship song I’ve heard hundreds of times before stopped me in the moment.
Here I am to worship.
Our speaker Sunday morning talked about the transfiguration of Jesus and how that affects our worship. Yes, we have mountaintop experiences, but much of our lives are lived in the valleys. Remember the mountaintops and allow worship to remind us what God has done. Worship allows us – wherever we are – to come before God, who sent His Son as the sacrifice His righteousness requires for us to approach Him..
We are loud and messy and distracted and busy and itchy and so far from perfect.
But here we are to worship and bow down because of who God is and what He’s done for us – on the mountaintops, in the valleys, and on a cross once and for all.
And there’s absolutely no other way I could live because Lord knows without Him we would be louder and messier and more distracted from what truly matters.
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Reba McEntire’s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope
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I love that we can come to worship as we are- in the midst of the mess and the noise and everything else going on around us.
Yes, amen.
I was trying to pick out one favorite quote from your words but you know what? I can’t because everything you said here? Is perfect and quotable. Here we are, Lord, To Worship You because after all is said and done, IT IS ALWAYS ALL ABOUT YOU. xoxo Hope your family is on the road to feeling better.
I agree with Susan!! blessings on your row of worship!! xx
Thank you, Sue!
We’re recovering, thankfully. I’m glad you could be encouraged with my post today. You’re a blessing, Susan!
One of my FAVORITE things about you is how real and transparent you are here with your words and your life and your stories. I am grateful… mostly, because in the stories you share are nuggets of grace and a reminder that this journey is an in real life thing, and also because it is a breath of fresh air in the stale monotony of the comparing we do naturally in the blogging-world of comment leaving and visits. Like your Sunday worship, you show up here…too… to love God through your life and to be real for others so we can lift up holy imperfect hands together.
🙂 Blessings Kristin!
Dawn
You’re so sweet, Dawn! Your comment really made my day. I’m so happy we’ve been able to connect on this big ‘ole (sometimes scary) internet. Thanks for holding my holy, imperfect hand, you know, virtually. xoxo
Kristin, I love this post that takes me back to the days of our noisy pew, strategically located near the door so I could bolt and run with whoever needed . . . whatever they needed. I still am mindful of the luxury of actually hearing ALL of the sermon — and the responsibility to pay attention since I am the only one now who distracts me. A few months ago I was sitting behind a mum with a restless preschooler, so I folded one of the silly paper things I used to give to my boys when they were desperate and passed it up to her for the little guy, and I have to say that his smile really made my whole day.
Thanks for sharing, Kristin.
There are distractions in this world other than kids. 🙂 And I’m sure you made that mom’s day in the process. It goes both ways, friend. Thank you for being here and sharing, Michele!
So perfectly true. I recently heard of a church that asks all families sit in the back of the church and that broke my heart. While we do send our kids to children’s church during the service so they can worship and learn with their peers I still love seeing the little kids scattered all over the sanctuary. We should all be allowed to come in and be wherever because it’s about Him, not about being perfectly still and having it all together. I want to think that He’s okay with all the little fidgets and distractions because we are there soaking Him in and children mean the church is alive and growing.
Oh, sad. We usually sit in the second row. Thankfully, our church welcomes messy, loud families. Our kids are in the service for the first part – music, announcements, communion, but then during the sermon they go to their classes until they’re 11 years old. I like the half-and-half option like that. Of course, they could stay and nobody would care. Being a mom has taught me that God knows every detail before we even get there, so he’s not surprised by the wiggles and noise.
In my youth and family circles, the articles always share that families should sit towards the front. Little ones like to see what is happening. But you’re so right. God wants us to come in all of our messiness etc.
We’re usually in the second row. Thankfully our church welcomes (messy & loud) families.
I love what a difference worship makes. Sometimes I put it on just to change the atmosphere in my home, in my heart.
Oh, yes, I do that around here too.
I can hear Phillips, Craig & Dean singing that now. 🙂 They write incredible music. I’m here late today, but I think I made it on Wednesday just under the wire!
My quick search to see who wrote it came up with multiple options, so I didn’t reference anyone particular. It’s one of those that has been around my faith journey for a long time. 🙂 Glad you’re here, Lisa.