Found -- When Least Expected

A few weeks ago the children's director at church handed me a cd and sheet of lyrics to a couple of songs. She informed me that the 3 year olds would be performing in front of church. The first song was "Jesus Loves Me" and the 2nd was "If I Were a Butterfly".

My husband and I both looked at each other and just shook our heads. OUR little boy, singing in front of the church?!

Our 3 year old has the voice of an angel, but the confidence of a cute-but-timid wall flower. We have been working with him on coming out of his shell in social settings -- all the while trying hard not to crush his, God-given, sweet, thoughtful and quiet spirit. And, singing in front of a large group certainly kicks it up another notch from a "normal setting".

Knowing that my mother-in-law melts at the sound of our little boy's singing voice, I invited her and my father-in-law to join us for this big occasion. I was secretly hoping that their presence would coax Mr. T into joining the rest of his class if he knew that his beloved Grandma and Grandpa would be there too.

Over the past few weeks we have been practicing a lot at home with the songs and talking a great deal about the performance.

This morning was the big day! Both of my in-laws were very kind to join us. Part way through the service, the 3 year olds were given the cue and obediently came in, (all holding tightly and marching in line with their guide rope), and found their assigned place on the risers.

We hoped that Mr. T would sing while joining his peers, (I had settled with the fact that he would probably not do all the fun hand motions that we had so carefully practiced many times). Although he did not really sing with the rest of the group (or even stand), I do find it an accomplishment that he sat on the risers and remained with his friends.

You know, there's always that one gregarious child that not only performs the hand motions with perfection but loudly lingers on the notes just a tad longer so that their voice can be featured as a solo at the end of each line of the song? THAT child was not ours this morning, (although I can almost bet money that will happen to be our youngest in a few years!). :)

I was disappointed that my in-laws ended up not being able to hear Mr. T sing. I was not surprised at all, just disappointed.

Talking to him on the way to the car after the service, I found that he thought he HAD sung with the group. I really am proud of him for having the courage to stay up there -- this is a HUGE deal for our little boy. I need to go easy on him and wait on him -- realizing that his timing won't be my timing.

My father-in-law needed to head off to a meeting afterwards, but we had a great time at lunch with my mother-in-law. She graciously offered to drive the boys back to the house and put them down for naps so that we could run a couple of errands by ourselves! I LOVE that!!!

Upon our return, she wept tenderly as she recounted to us something that had just happened as she got our baby ready for nap time. Apparently, he had been sitting in a dirty diaper for a long time without us knowing. As she tried to clean up his tender and raw skin, he got really upset and began crying really hard.

She tried to calm him down but he was really upset. Needing to wash her hands, she placed him in his rocking chair for a moment. When she returned she found our 3 year old gently holding our baby's hands and sweetly (and confidently) singing "Jesus Loves Me" to him. In Mr. T's mind, it's that song that helps calm him down when he's upset.

I, too, am moved to tears and so touched that in the end, my mother-in-law DID get to hear our 3 year old's voice of an angel and sing, of all things, "Jesus Loves Me"...in the perfect time and place.

Thank You, dear Lord, for teaching me about Your perfect timing, and for this very special unexpected blessing today!