church at home today

When it rains for several days, our normally dry creek bed floods and blocks the drive out of our home. Breaking the news to the kids (who LOVE going to church) wasn't fun but we quickly made plans to have a service at home.

"Who would like to lead worship? Pray? Teach?" we asked. "I want to lead worship! And I want to teach!" Keona shouted. "Guess I'll pray," Jonathan sighed, "but I'd rather go to church."

Keona selected a worship CD and we had a blast. Near our piano we have a short bookshelf loaded with all sorts of instruments. Jonathan started with the accordion (the child can find the exact melody on any instrument) and later transitioned to the kazoo. Bear picked up drums. Keona danced. I had a tamborine. And dear Louie happily twirled around.

After around 5 worship songs, Keona opened her "young reader" Bible and read about God creating the world. Daddy then stood to illustrate the theme "God-made-everything." And then Jona stood to say, "Without God, nothing would be alive!"

We gathered together to pray and say a final "amen" when Keona ran back into the kitchen and emerged with two small tuperwares. "Time to take an offering!" she said. We each pulled out coins and passed the tuperware. We put coins in...and Louie took them out.

Then Keona prayed, "Jesus, please take this money tonight while we're sleeping. Please use it to help the poor. They need milk. Amen."

Amen.