Avery's Song

About a year ago, I was driving in the truck with my kids and my daughter Avery said “Daddy, I want to sing you a song.”She started singing like only a 4 year old can and I listened to her serenade.

You should hear her sing.

About 30 seconds into the song, Kai, my oldest daughter, told her to stop because it didn’t sound good.

I told Avery to keep on singing that I was enjoying her songs.

Avery kept singing.

About six months after that, Kai, Avery, Noah and I went to visit one of our friend’s church. It was a little more charismatic then we were used to and I could tell the kids were filling uncomfortable.

How could I tell? In unison they all asked to go to the bathroom. I could tell where this was going, but decided to play along.

They all went to the bathroom and then when they came out Kai said “Dad, do we have to go back in? We don’t like it.”

I smiled and remembered Avery’s Song.

I said “Guys, do you remember several months ago when Avery sang me a song in the truck and Kai didn’t like the way it sounded?”

They all nodded.

“Do you remember that I told Avery to keep on singing?”

Again the nodding.

“Well, Avery was singing to me. She wasn’t singing for you. She wasn’t even singing for herself. She was singing for me. That’s why I told her to keep singing. It was a beautiful song because it was from Avery to me. It didn’t matter if you liked it or not. I liked it.”

Blank stares…I didn’t think I was going to be able to make the connection.

“Well guys, these folks are praising God. They are singing songs to Him. We may not be used to the songs or the way they worship, but they aren’t singing for us. They are singing for Him. If God doesn’t like it, He’ll let them know. Until then, we can sing along and appreciate their praise to our God.”

I could see the light go on in their heads.

Kai said “Okay, I guess we should go back in.”

Since that day, we have visited many different churches and experienced different worship styles.

We’ve been blessed to listen in as all of God’s children have sung Him their song.

And we’ve gotten to sing along.