It was magical

by Ted Wang

"Do you want to come to church tomorrow?" I asked my cousin Max.

"Yes." His response was definitive, like there was nothing else he'd rather be doing on Sunday. Then he clarified, "I like the singing."

Really? I thought to myself. I'm really glad he likes the worship band, since I'm pretty proud of them myself. I had brought him to The River for the first time about 5 months ago, and apparently the singing had left quite an impression on him.

He went on, "Yeah, I don't really believe in God, so that makes the sermon kind of awkward sometimes."

I think I asked some question about why it was awkward, but I forgot what he said. Then he repeated, "I really like the singing."

Wow. So I brought him to The River, and it was the most encouraging/awesome/beautiful thing. I looked over at him during the worship/singing time, and he was totally getting into it...that is, his lips were moving and I could hear him singing...

Only you are worthy...we'll give glory, honor, power, and praise....

I loved the "hook" that Krista-Dawn taught us last week...so powerful.

Max wasn't so into the sermon (he was hunched over in his seat and playing with his shoelaces at times), but during the worship he'd be totally into the songs we were singing.

After service ended Max and Brian (another cousin of mine) reverted back to teenager boy mode, pushing and wrestling each other in the sanctuary. It's a good thing that my friend Matt told them to go outside, because it was inappropriate that they were doing that inside.

As we were leaving, though, Max turned to me and asked, "Can I come next week? I really liked the singing." He paused and gestured with his hands for emphasis. "It was magical."

To be honest I was a little shocked. Here's a kid that doesn't believe in God and doesn't go to church but WANTS to go because of the singing. Quite a contrast from my own childhood, when I was forced to go to church and ended up not really liking it. It's a magical thing that Max's experience of church was so different from my own, and I'm so glad that I get to share The River with him.