Silliness turns spiritual

Having kids in church is distracting, let's just be honest. I don't always get to focus on the message and worship experience as much as I would like. I'm sure those of you with children totally understand.

This morning I my distraction was a typical one, Caleb. Caleb loves food. We bring snacks and a drink for the kids each week, because it makes everything flow smoother. Caleb has figured out that the servers who bring communion every week are bringing food. He also understands that we get the food, and if we get it he wants it. He stands up when he sees them coming and watches them like a hawk. When they come by and start to pass the trays he holds out his hands and squeezes them, which is his sign for "I want that!" I can't help it. Everytime it cracks me up. It's just so funny that he has figured this ritual out and wants so badly to persuade these men to give him a cracker. Today I tried to offer him a goldfish, but he shook his head no and just waited to see if he would get a cracker. Today we were sitting with my parents and my Dad was holding him, and he just barely kept it together.

As I laughed at all of this, a thought struck me. As funny as it is right now, I hope this is a pattern that continues in my son's life, at least metaphorically. It is my prayer that throughout Caleb's life he will hunger and thirst for the body and cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. How cool is it to think that his whole life my son would be consumed and enthralled by the sacrifice of his Savior. That he would always wait on the edge of his seat, then refuse other things to fill himself with the only thing that really satisfies the blood and body of Christ. That is my prayer for you sweet boy. I love you.

My thoughts...

Thanks to everyone who commented with their thoughts. I think I will be borrowing some of your thoughts this weekend. I usually flip flop between two scenarios. So here is what I typically think about...


The bread: Since the bread is Christ's body I picture my own body laying on an altar. I typically then pray and give my body and my life over into God's hands. I pray that he would be able to use my body and my life just the way he would if I were Jesus. I pray that I would touch people like Jesus and see people like Jesus. I pray that my whole body and life would be given over to Him for His will, and His glory.

The cup: When I take the cup and the drink the juice that represents his blood I typically use it as a time to think about my sinfulness. I take this time to examine my heart. I picture it as the hard black stone that is lifeless within me. I confess to the Lord the ways I know I have failed him, and the things that I have done to separate myself from His presence. I pray that His blood, which is the only thing that can cleanse me, will pour over my heart and make it new. Then I picture His blood hitting my rock heart and the pieces of rock and darkness shattering off of it like an explosion. I picture the Christ's blood once again starting my heart and pumping throughout my body so that I can be used for His goodness. I allow myself to be washed clean in the pouring flood of His blood, and soak in the peace that comes with knowing that I am clean and pure before the Lord. And that once again I feel the freedom and peace that comes with knowing I stand purified before my God.
I have to say that this is an especially powerful image for me when I am pregnant and nursing, because I pray and imagine that a taste of the blood and body of Christ will flow through me to my children and that they will begin, even in the womb, to have a hunger and thirst for the salvation of Christ in their lives.

This is the other scenario I think of is:
I imagine myself walking into this amazing banquet room. There is a table that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is elegantly set and filled with tons of food. I see the food and realize that I am starving. I approach the table and notice that every place is set and has a name. In the midst of all of this I look down at myself and I realize that I am filthy. I am dirty from head to toe and I am dressed in rags. I realize that I am an orphan and I don't belong here. I am not worthy of being here and I suddenly feel tiny. But then I look back at the table and the place card on the plate has my name on it. I realize that I belong here and a place has been saved for me. I feel amazing. Words can't express the relief, joy and peace that comes over me as I take my place at the table. I sit and as I look down the table I see people from all over the world joining me in this feast. And then I eat and feel truly full for the first time. And when I drink I look down, and I am no longer dirty, but clean and in a new sparkling white outfit. I relax and realize what an amazing experience I am having.