The View From My Perch

So, I work at church in the Audio/Video perch (or balcony.) I sit upstairs for almost every church service or special event that happens in our church. I have the best view of the choir, the "Littlest Lambs" children's choir, and the back of every one's head. I'm usually concentrating on where we are in the service, how our video ministry can emphasize our Pastor's message, watching the live webcast for any prayer requests that come through, yada yada. Working.

But...last Sunday, 02-28-10 something very special caught my eye. A handsome man with two cute little boys, about the ages of 7 and 4 (both with glasses) walked in and sat in the front of the sanctuary. They weren't there at the beginning of the service, but came in as the sermon was getting started. From the time I saw them walk in, I was oblivious to my job duties. I tried to concentrate, but couldn't stop watching this man with these two boys. Yes, this was Matt with Hamilton and Harrison.

You see, Harrison, 4, has never been in Big Church as we call it. He is usually in the nursery with the other "babies". He has recently not been wanting to go to the nursery, but he is still hesitant to come to Big Church. And, we really haven't pushed him since Matt basically has to sit down there with them by himself (and Hessie, Harrison, is a VERY strong willed, LOUD child.) But, this was the Sunday for change.

Watching them sit and listen to the scripture reading, I was amazed. I mean, it had been a whole 4 minutes without an outburst. (Never mind that the scripture reading that day was a movie clip from "The Gospel of John") Still, I was amazed. Then Pastor Tiger started his sermon, and Harrison started wriggling around, playing peek-a-boo with a grown man in the row behind him (thanks, Kyle.) Hessie was starting to fidget a little too much, so Matt scooped him up and left.

That left Hamilton sitting alone. Hamilton looked back at Matt to see if he had to go with them, but decided better of it. He turned, looked at Pastor Tiger, crossed his legs and sat still for the rest of the sermon!!! People from several rows back were commenting about how big Hamilton was. I have to admit, I wanted to scream "Hey- that's my kid - still 6 - LISTENING to the sermon!", but I didn't.

Soon, Matt brought Harrison back in. Harrison told Matt (audible from upstairs, but not a yell) that he didn't want to sit next to Matt, he wanted to sit next to Hamilton. Hamilton opened up his arms and helped Hessie climb over to sit on the other side of him. Then Hamilton put his arm over on Harrison and patted his shoulder. Harrison did the same with Hamilton. Let me just say - NO ONE on that side of the sanctuary knew what Pastor Tiger was saying after that. I watched them chatter about how precious these two little boys were, and watched their heads turn to watch what they were going to do next.

They were just two little boys, brothers, being best friends and trying to keep each other out of trouble. And, they are my little gifts from heaven (no matter how loud they are!) It was, the best sermon this mom has heard in a long time.