I find that I learn the most in life from object lessons or from little experiences that stay with me. It seems lately I have had a few church experiences that have moved me to be reminded that God’s grace is everywhere.

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday and it was teeming with excited children and those awesome palm branches that make wonderful sibling swatters. Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t know what I am talking about. If you have ever been to a Palm Sunday service you are well aware that those branches sometimes get a little out of control behind rambunctious children. But it is all part of the day and the celebration. I have so many memories of my two boys swatting at each other with them and me whispering in that “Mom” voice to knock it off. Memories.

So Sunday when a young mom with two young boys sat in the pew in front of us in their cute little spring colored shirts I had to smile and think back to when our boys were small. I didn’t recognize them. She was alone with the two boys and I noticed that they all had put the smiley face stickers on that designate first time visitor.

The service went a little long with communion and a lot of scripture readings from Matthew and the boys got antsy. The older one, especially, appeared to be less than enthused with his younger brother and refused to take him up for the Children’s Time so the sweet mama did that. The older son just seemed like he was on edge and ready to let go during the whole service and I remembered how tough those days as a young mother could be.

The service ended with the congregation supposed to leave in silence (they had stripped the altar which is typically done later in Holy Week) but I just felt so compelled to reach out to this family. Before we all left our pews, I leaned up, placed my arm around her shoulders, leaned in and said “thank you for coming and for bringing your boys”. She nodded her thanks and that was that. Nothing more needed to be said and I hoped that she knew that her boys were not a distraction but were right where they should be.

Too often we (me, included), are impatient and expect our younger members to be perfectly still and quiet. We sometimes expect perfection. But isn’t it just so much better to be able to nurture those little ones and enjoy them at every stage of their lives? She did a difficult thing. Bringing two young ones to church by herself. That takes a lot of courage and I admired her.

Have you done anything courageous lately? I can’t think of anything I have done but I would love to hear from you — I am sure one of my readers has done something courageous lately and I would love to read about it. Leave me a comment and Comment for a Cause for El Centro.