A Momentous Occasion

Sunday morning, the most magnificent thing happened:

I sat next to Doug in church.

Hmmm…doesn't look too exciting when I just type it out like that, does it?

Let me tell you, though, it was truly momentous.

I'll give you the rundown of the past 7 years:

• Doug pastored a church for 3 years.  He was always up at the pulpit, while I sat in the back or to the side, trying to keep Isaac occupied and quiet.
• For the next year, we attended a church that met in a classroom.  No pews there – only odd little swivel seats that were attached to the tables.
• For most of the next year, Isaac was too ill to go to church.  Doug cared for him daily at home, while I worked full time.  So I felt that on Sundays, Doug should get to go to church.
• For the first year we lived here, we took turns going to church.  We were never there at the same time.
• For the last year, Isaac periodically makes it to church.  If he does, Doug sits with him in junior church, or in another part of the building in case he is having a noisy day.  If he doesn't make it to church, Doug generally stays home with him so I can be involved in the music ministry.

During these years, we attended one wedding that my husband wasn't officiating and we sat next to each other in the pew. 

Other than that, this was the first regular church service that we have been able to sit side by side in church in nearly 7 years!

See?  I told you it was magnificent.

My sweet cousin, Joy, who works in Isaac's junior church, had worked out a volunteer to sit with Isaac during their service.  That freed up Doug on Sunday morning, just as the choir was coming down to take their seats during the last hymn, to meet me in the back of the auditorium, and sit with me during the preaching.

It was wonderful!!!

I will be honest and tell you that I did feel a little separation anxiety with both of us being away from Isaac.  For the most part, he is with one of us 24/7 all the time.  We make that choice on purpose.  God did give him to us to parent, and he is unable to speak for or defend himself.  So we take our responsibility very seriously.

However, we feel completely confident that he will be well cared while he is under the watchful eye of the sweet lady who has volunteered to minister to us by sitting with Isaac.  We are really grateful that the Lord has seen fit to work this out for us.

Now, I just want to admonish you – don't YOU ever take for granted sitting next to your spouse during a church service. 🙂

Blessings to you,

Alesha