Jeff & I were raised in a small town (750 people 
) a beautiful Methodist church, rich with tradition and filled with saints I still admire. It’s glory was the fantastic stained glass windows.
I always imagined I was the little lamb Jesus was carrying!
[Tweet “Jesus is the Good #Shepherd. He #carries us when we’re #weak. “]
I eagerly anticipated the bells from the steeple, (albeit by recording) joyfully pealing out their tunes, calling us to worship each Sunday morning. We followed a liturgy & a Call to Worship. Acolytes lit the candles on the altar, a responsive reading, an offering followed by singing the Doxology, praying the Lord’s Prayer in unison, a reading of the Scriptures, a 15 – 2o minute sermon, Benediction, then onto shaking the pastor’s hand and fellowship before we walked home.
These memories warm my soul like a Sonshiny day!
In college- and throughout the rest of our life, we’ve attended (and Jeff has pastored) churches that are less liturgical; absent were the stained glass windows and beckoning bells, and our service lasting at least an hour. I believe we moved away from liturgy- the doxology- the Lord’s prayer- not because they’re wrong– but because we feared they were becoming rote and meaningless in our own spiritual journey. It takes intentional focus to repeat the same thing the same way, day after day, week after week, and be caught up in its wondrous meaning.
Be that as it may, I still love all these things and when they enter into our worship from time to time. Their familiarity warms me much like snuggling under a downy blanket on a winter day. It ignites within me a sense of unity and connectedness to all those who love and follow Him.
I was at Hobby Lobby the other day and saw an intriguing conglomerate of the Lord’s Prayer-
on clearance……
You know what that means don’t you???????
It was a sign ——-I had to buy it! I had just the spot for it! lol
When I got it home, Bethany exclaimed, “Oh, Momma- that is so pretty. She began to read it. “What is this? What this for? Where you put it?”
“Well, Bethy, this is the Lord’s prayer. His disciples asked Him how they should prayer and this is the prayer He taught them. See, it starts out, “Our Father” Jesus wanted us to know we could come to God as our Father in heaven- Jesus wanted us to know we are God’s children and He loves us- just like a father. Isn’t that amazing?”
She agreed and kept reading, taking it all in.
Her eyes grew wide. She asked with awe, “He prayed my name???”
Confused, I watched as she started bouncing up and down, smiling from ear to ear!
“Oh, Mommy, He prayed my name! He prayed MY name!”
Clueless, I studied the picture- “What? …. Where… show me “
“Look. Mommy, He PRAYED MY NAME!” BE THY! Oh, Mommy, He must love me! He prayed my name!”
There it was- in bold print- hallowed BE THY NAME
Immeasurable Truth revealed to a tender jar of clay.
[Tweet “Do you know #God #loves you and daily prays for you by Name?”]
Surprising Treasures:
New Living Translation (©2007) Isaiah 43:1b
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
[Tweet “”Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”]
New Living Translation (©2007) Romans 8:34
Who then will condemn us? No one–for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
John 10:27 New Living Translation (©2007)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I am seriously wiping the tears. I’m so glad that He knows my name.
Thank you for sharing this precious story and awesome reminder of how much He loves each of us. Hugs!!
Awwww- I was so blessed when she showed me!
The Lord’s Prayer will never be the same for me again!!!
Bethany’s seeing her name in the Lord’s prayer continues to encourage me. Don’t let the enemy or the world “change your name” and cause you to lose your identity as a son or daughter of God. Meshach, Shadrach and Abendigo were not the “God-names” given to them by their parents. These were the names the Babylonians used to try and re-identify them away from Yahweh. Their “God-names” names were Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah. The Babylonians also tried to rename Daniel- Belteshazzar. The story of those four young men’s lives in the book of Daniel proves the Babylonians re-identification efforts failed. My prayer today- “Lord let me fully embrace my identity in You!”
The windows are so beautiful! Cindy’s remarks are mine in many ways! I have photos of the windows also- I treasure the time in McLean at our little church.
It was a beautiful way to grow up! <3 love you Donna!
Selah- pause and consider- MY IDENTITY is in YOU!!!!
You have me boo-hoo-ing (make that sobbing) over this precious message, and over that wonderfully observant Bethy. I started out planning to comment on the first paragraph, and how important repetition is for children. How many hymns, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, the 23rd Psalm, and more, didn’t we learn by heart without even trying, thanks to the repetition in church and home family devotions! I think we grown-ups might deal differently with our own (meaningless) concerns when recognizing how important it is for little ones to plant the Word in their hearts via repetition. I have to post this on facebook! Thanks so much for this beautiful treasure!
I will never say the Lord’s prayer the same way again! She delights in showing people when they come to our house :). hugs
Oh my…I’m laughing and crying at the same time. I LOVE the wall hanging from Hobby Lobby. And I LOVE sweet “BE THY.” Completely precious! How wonderful the things we can see through her eyes… Love you all!
Shelli- now you’ve made me smile and laugh! It’s hanging in the kitchen, where every day I’m reminded- GOD PRAYS MY NAME! (and especially Bethy’s lol) love you guys too! hugs and thanks for commenting!
Seriously, was that the only one? I would love to have one of those for my house too!
I’ll check tomorrow for you-
I’ll snatch it up if there’s still one there! hugs
Wow Cindy…What a revelation!! Who of us would have seen what Be thy saw in that scripture. I was all hung up on the fact that I started out in a Methodist church too. Then you moved on to your wall hanging and where I lost it completely was when I realized that Be thy saw much more important things than we can see. I am constantly blown away by what she “gets” that we dont. Sorry for the length of this response, but I love gleaning from her complete faith. I truly wished I had as much understanding as she Tell she is loved by so many
I miss you and our talks too Cindy. When I think of Bethany, I remember the scripture that says “A little child shall lead them” Cant remember right off hand where, but I get the message. I will never again look at the Lord’s prayer without thinking of Be
thy
hugs- and thanks
Cindy,
What an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with God. We are all inspired by your outpouring words and love. What a blessing Bethany is to all of us.
In Christ’s love,
Pam
(sister-in-law of Ruth Reinhart)