From the DOD - Acolytes

Sunday was an important Sunday for the Cook girls. It was the first time that Mary and Lydia were Acolytes. They were very excited about this rite of passage. I was very nervous about it. I let them practice one afternoon at the church but without the flame. I think the fire aspect of their participation was what I was most nervous about. (Speaking of which; I’d like to apologize again to the lady who sat in front of us at the last candle lighting service we had. My child did not mean to cauterize your hair.) As they were preparing for a practice walk down the aisle I went to seat myself on the front pew. I heard Lydia giggling and turned around just in time to see Mary straddling the candlelighter like a horse and galloping around, waving her arms like a bronco rider. I went into a big long spiel about how the flame represents God’s presence and how they must respect the flame! Sunday finally arrived and the service was about to begin. I looked at my 2 little girls in white robes standing side by side holding the candlelighters. Art Sabia whispered to them reassuringly. I smiled at them and they smiled back. Then the prelude began. When I saw my little girls proudly walking toward the cross carrying the light of God I was taken aback by the tears that were filling my eyes. I was no longer absorbed with images of rodeo antics and smoldering vestments. Rather, my mind filled with the image of my babies being carried down this same sanctuary aisle with their little foreheads glistening from beads of the baptismal water. And I knew that if Jesus could love me even half as much as I love those 2 precious girls, then I am indeed loved. The light of our Savior shined especially brightly for me last Sunday. I hope it did and continues to do so for you this week. Peace and Love of Christ, Rachel “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1