It's Now

This week-end during our special combined service, there was no childcare.

So I settled near the back with Zeke and Kora so we could make a quick and relatively quiet exit if need be. In front of me was a dear friend who is a hero of the foster care system. Her own children grown, she has a steady flow of children who find a home with her in their greatest times of need. This morning she and her teenage daughter shuffled three small little boys around into the row. A baby and his two year old brother, and another 5 year old who she has had for several months. In front of her was one of her other grown and married daughters who had with her 4 children, 2 of which they are patiently and fervently pursuing the adoption of. I know bits and pieces of the story of the two precious kiddos and it’s one full of loss and tragedy. I watched as these two families handed children from arm to arm, made bottles, gave kisses, and hugs, and handed out crayons and small toys.

By the time the service was over, the 4 adults were exhausted (and probably a bit relieved—as I was).

And sitting there in the back surrounded by all these children, hardly two with the same skin color. All with different stories. Different wounds.

I worshiped.

I was close to tears a couple times as I watched. It is exhausting work. These people. Giving their lives away. Finding Jesus in the faces of broken and hurting children. And working hard. And loving deep. And getting dirty.

On a day when people were celebrating their fathers, these families had homes full of children who were temporarily or permanently without. They were filling the gaps for the fatherless.

It’s messy. Oh my gosh, it’s messy.

I’m not sure that they were able to enjoy corporate worship. They probably could of used a couple minutes to be quiet and alone with their God. They didn’t get it today.

But they worshiped.

Perhaps they didn’t realize it. But oh how they worship!

Their lives a continual act of worship.

Every day they loosen the chains of injustice just a bit for these children.

It’s not glamorous. It is just plain heartbreaking and difficult and exhausting sometimes.

But of all worship services…the one I saw today touched closest to the heart of the Father.

And if they ever worshiped. These families. If ever…it’s now.