For of such is the kingdom of heaven

I meant to post this little story earlier this week.

On Sunday, because Isaiah was running a fever and fairly cranky, I stayed home with him from church while Daddy and Josh went to worship together.

Isaiah spent most of the morning taking it easy: reading books, listening to Judy Rogers, snuggling in bed, etc. Being sick, tired, and easily entertained, it took him a while to notice that Joshua was not home.

He asked me in a very concerned voice, "Where's Joshua!?!?!"

I replied, "Joshua went to church with Daddy. Today is Sunday, the Lord's Day. But you and mommy stayed home because you are sick."

Isaiah looked so sad and tears welled up in his eyes. He said, "I need to go to church too!!"

Immediately I remembered my own childhood concept of Sunday highlights (Sunday school and seeing friends), and asked my 3 year old, "Oh, are you sad that you won't get to see your friends and go to Sunday School?"

Isaiah burst into tears and exclaimed, "No, Mommy!! I wanted to worship God in spirit and in truth."

I was greatly humbled by this response from my son and felt the tears well up in my eyes as well. I'm so glad that Isaiah takes delight in worship, in singing and praising our Savior and in hearing God's word preached--- something that quite escaped me when I was 3 years old! A Lord's Day spent at home lacks fellowship of the saints and Sunday school teaching, but... most importantly (as my 3 year old knew), the gathering together to WORSHIP the Lord.

"Let the little children come unto me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14