Originally written: October 20, 2015
I stayed for Praise and Worship time at pre-school today. Just the fact that they have a Praise and Worship time is desperately wonderful! Parents are invited to stay and participate, so Chi Chi and I joined the parade. They join together kids from three years old through first grade to sing songs and worship Jesus together. We stood outside, circled around a chalk-drawn boundary, so the kids would know where to stand.
I stood directly behind Cameron and Peyton, on the outskirts of the circle, Charlotte in one arm and the other hand holding my twin boys’ hands together. It was so precious and also kind of hilarious. My boys are the ones who don’t do anything. Everyone is shouting, “I’ve got peace like a river…” from the top of their lungs, making the wave motions with their hands, little bodies bee-bopping to the beat—and then there are my two: still as a statue.
Every year the school has a feast around Thanksgiving time. The kids get to choose what dish their parent has to bring. It always makes for an interesting menu. Last year I got hot dogs and white pasta. Some people get lucky: cookies or m&ms. Like seriously… . At least Peyton didn’t ask for steak!
Ultimately, the children perform songs for all the parents and guests within their classes. I’ll never forget my boys standing on the outside edge, holding hands, apparently unable to move a muscle while everyone else was having a grand old time. Memories…at least they love each other. Besides, I was always terrible in choir!
So today, as we stood around the circle, it confirmed that a year had not improved their participation much. And yet, I know they are listening. At night during our family worship time, we read from The Jesus Storybook Bible, sing songs of praise and then pray together. Peyton loves to sing in these moments! “Praise God from whom all blessings flowwwww… .” He belts it out! So I don’t worry too much about their timidity in front of an audience.
But as Chi Chi and I pulled away after watching that precious time, I was reminded of one of my favorite poems. Every class I taught (from seventh graders to sophomores and seniors) had to memorize and recite Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost. Every person should know at least one poem by heart, and this one in particular, is a favorite.
I recited it in my head as I drove down the lane, appreciating the beauty of this beautiful autumn day. My children will know this someday, I thought to myself:
Nothing Gold Can Stay
by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
And it’s true. The leaves are on fire and they shimmer with golden hues, but they are not permanent. They will not stay. And it is a reminder for me that this world is not permanent. It will not stay.
I long for the day when gold will stay. Forever.