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Topic: Worship (05/03/04)
TITLE: Watching from Afar By Annette Bury 05/04/04 |
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“No, it’s mine!” spewed Robert between clenched teeth.
I glanced over as my eight-year-old daughter, Delaney, held onto one end of an oversized picture book with clenched fists.
“No, it’s mine!” Robert blurted back. He grabbed the other end, pulling so hard Delaney toppled to the floor. She slumped over in a heap, her curly hair covering her face as a whimper came forth.
I ran to Delaney’s side and helped her up. “Okay, Robert. Now, give me the book. Since you can’t agree, neither one of you gets it!”
Robert handed over the book as I fell into a kitchen chair. “Okay, go,” I called out, shooing them with my hand, “you guys can watch TV now.” My brood jumped up, scurrying away. “But not you, Anton.” My oldest son, stopped, and turned around. “You never did take care of that mess in your room. So, you can do it now.”
“Can’t I do it later?”
“Nope,” I shook my head. “Now go.”
Anton stomped upstairs as I opened the dishwasher. Rinsing off the remains of dinner, I placed several cups inside. Weariness and fatigue racked my body. I turned my head to the soft music playing in the corner. Wiping my hands on a towel, I turned the volume up. The song, “I found Jesus,” bellowed through the speakers. I glanced back at the mess in the sink. Smiling, I stepped into the living room instead. As the music played, I closed my eyes, lifted my arms, and danced before the Lord.
Sensing someone watching, I opened my eyes. Anton peered from a far corner. Closing my eyes again, I continued in worship as another song played. Soon, the weariness of the kids fighting, dirty dishes, and continual messes lifted off my back as I worshipped the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Later as I laid my head on my pillow, I thought about the day. As a mother, much of my time is spent in caring for my family – cleaning, cooking, helping with homework, driving my kids to all their many activities, and so on. Someday my kids won’t remember if my house sparkled and shined, or how delicious any particular dish tasted. But what I want them to remember is a mother who ran after the Lord, a mother who spent time on her knees, a mother who read the Word of God, and a mother who danced before the Lord.