Coming of Age

When it was time for the sermon, the overhead lights were dimmed and the congregation seemed to quieten and settle. It was a "limbo" time for the children. I, personally, liked to dwell in that now twilight world between the pews, sitting or lying on a kneeler, inspecting the color of shoes on nearby worshippers; perhaps, if I was lucky, a lady in front of us might be wearing what I later learned was a mink boa, to me they were small furry creatures slinking 'round her shoulders in silent pursuit and staring glassy-eyed, probably, like me, wondering what they were doing there. If I were very gentle, I could even touch those tiny paws and claws that swung free, having a hard time getting enough purchase to continue the "chase." Fascinating! But my favorite sermon activity was taking the visitor cards and short pencils from their slots to doodle and draw; you couldn't be making any mistakes either - there were no erasers! For many years the sermons seemed an "eternally" long monologue. But there came a moment in time when I realized that the fellow in the pulpit was "drawing" parallels between the scripture and "real life." It was an epiphany, a revelation. Well, well, maybe that kind of drawing could also be of interest! I peeked up over the pew to see if, maybe, I was missing something after all by dwelling down there in the twilight. Slowly, very slowly, over the months and years I physically and spiritually made my way upward, until I could sit on the pew and listen - longer and longer, hear - deeper and deeper.

"Lord, I come to your awesome presence,

From the shadows into your radiance,"

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Matthew 19.14 - Let the little children alone and do not stop them coming to me. For it is to such as these that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs.

Proverbs 22.6 - Instruct a child in the way he should go, and when he grows old he will not depart from it.

2 Timothy 3.15 - You know how when you were a small child, you were taught the Holy Scriptures; and it is these that made you wise to accept God's salvation by trusting in Jesus Christ.

1 John 212,13 - I am writing these things to all of you, my little children, because your sins have been forgiven in the name of Jesus our Savior. I am writing to you younger boys and girls because, you, too, have learned to know God our Father.

Luke 2.40 - And the child increased in wisdom and stature.

1 Corinthians 13.11 - When I was a child I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and reason like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me.