The True Meaning of Worship

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What I learned from a nonverbal young lady at church…

I entered quietly and slid into my regular seat. I prepared myself for worship to begin. 

That’s just how I usually do things. Routine. Perhaps, even mundane. Dull.

It was how I was raised I suppose. 

You entered.  Your presence was known from the back of the room. 

Your boots clunked down the center aisle, somewhat vocal as you walked carrying your snack. 

Your mom followed closely behind you, trying to direct you to a row towards the back of the church.  You weren’t having it.

You marched right to the very front row. Right in front of the stage where the worship team was just getting ready to start service.  

We all stood.  You stood right beside your mother. 

The worship team led us in worship and I watched.  I noticed you. You gestured with your hands. You made noises. 

Your mother smiled and nodded.  

Then, the most beautiful moment happened.  We began to sing the lyrics to Chris Tomlin’s song  “Good Good Father”.

The second stanza says: 

“You’re a good, good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.”

You, young lady…you get it. 

You may be mostly nonverbal, but you, you understand God is a good good Father as I watched you point upward. 

As we sang, “It’s who you are and I’m loved by you”, you crossed your arms in front of your chest and swayed to the melody. 

Then, we sang “It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am” and you pointed to yourself and looked at your mother lovingly and in your best voice said…

“Who. I. Am.” 

Your mother’s smile beamed across her face as she rubbed your shoulder and took your hand.

That was the most beautiful depiction of  worship. I see you.

I know God smiled as you wholly worshipped Him. 

As communion was about to begin, you exited the service just as you had come in. Right down the center aisle with boots clunking loudly. No one cared. 

You made it through worship and that is applauded. I am so proud of you. I am so proud of your Mom.   

You came back into service a short time later during the message part, but, you chose a row in the back.  You sat. You sat quietly. You did a fantastic job. Even better than some adults actually.

I wanted to talk to you and your mom.  You were both gone from the building before I was able to get a chance to talk to you.

I wanted to thank you for teaching me about truly being prepared for worship…JOYFULLY. 

I will tell you the next time I see you even if it’s a month or two from now because I will not forget.

You see, I wrote it down. I wanted to tell you and your mother thank you. I wanted you to know that I noticed.

I wanted to tell you that I am proud of you for sitting. I wanted to tell you that because I follow “Finding Cooper’s Voice”, I have been reminded of celebrating these moments of joy. 

The beautiful parts of autism.

I have learned about choosing joy regularly. To celebrate the seemingly small stuff. I have been reminded that every voice matters regardless if it is words or sounds I can understand.

I have been reminded that you deserve to be recognized and your mother as well.

You deserve to be treated with respect and kindness and to let you know that I notice you and you are beautiful.

God understands all forms of worship and We, all are indeed so, so loved. 

I am reminded of Psalm 100 that says “Make a joyful noise everyone, everywhere.” And, even the birds sing praises to the creator.

I will choose a joyful heart and simply worship because of what I learned from you today.

Written by, Valerie Prichett

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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