Clair was invited to read scripture for church

A few weeks ago Clair was invited to read the scripture as part of church service by one of the leaders of the youth ministry. She quickly excepted the offer and awaited her opportunity. The opportunity came along with a very long scripture reading in comparison to what the visiting children usually get to read. I was proud of Clair because she approached it with joy, preparation and eagerness.

We were surprised to find out that being part of scripture reading meant showing up at 8 AM on Sunday morning to go through a rehearsal before the first service, reading at the first service, and then reading again at the second service. It meant a really long morning. I was worried that Clair might not be up for that but, once again, she surprised me with her happiness and willingness to go along for the journey.

On Sunday morning came she was up and easily ready to go. She had picked out her own outfit the night before and it was a good one. just her and I got up because we knew bringing the others along for a full morning at church would make grumpiness so we left the others at home to watch online. We had breakfast together and headed off to church on time. We went in and found our place. Claire loved being behind seen and had lots of questions about what was happening. She was very interested in the stage and the audience and the technology and the overall process. Many of the bandmembers were oppressed by her happiness and energy.

At the first readthrough she read it a bit fast and we asked her to slow down. At the first reading at the 915 service she did quite well and had to slow down a bit. I asked her to consider slowing down just a bit more for the 11 o’clock service. By the 11 o’clock service she had perfected it. I am so proud of her. She was literally bouncing off the walls with joy. She was also snuggling me backstage looking around and watching while waiting her turn to be engaged the next time around. The minister was happy with her today and told her she did a great job. Many people stopped her on the way out of church and told her she did a great job. She told the youth leader that she really wants to do it again sometime. 

As we were walking out of church between church services because I needed a little bit more of my coffee that I had left in the car, a few people stopped her and complimented her on her reading. As we were walking to my car she says “I am famous.“ That was followed by a little giggle.

As we were leaving the church around 1140 this morning she was still giggling and she told me that she was happier than she had been in a long time.

Clair does have a heart for God. We were so lucky that this verse was all about God‘s love which she fully understands and promotes and supports and lives each day. It was just a wonderful experience for Clair and I am so grateful that she had this experience and that I got to be her mom along for the journey of watching her be herself in the big world. She does have so much to bring to this world!