"How was Sunday school today?" asked Mom as the family ate lunch together after church.
"Great," said Lydia. "Mrs. Simons always makes the stories interesting."
"Did you learn any new songs today?" asked Dad.
"Not today," Ian answered. Then he chuckled and looked across the table at Lydia. "Did you hear Ronan singing?"
"Did I!" Lydia giggled. "How could anyone not hear him?"
"He sings so loud, and if he hit one correct note, it would be a miracle," said Ian. "I can hardly stand to sit by him during song time."
After lunch, everyone went to sit out on the deck. Ian and Lydia played a game at the picnic table. When some sparrows settled on the nearby shrubs, Lydia looked up and watched them. "Sparrows aren't the prettiest birds, but I love to hear them tweet and twitter," she said.
Mom pointed. "There's a hummingbird drinking from that red flower. And see the magpies at the back of the yard? They're pretty, but they're not good singers."
"What bird song do you think God loves the best?" asked Dad.
"I don't know. He probably loves them all the same," said Lydia. "He created them all."
Dad nodded. "What about people? Does God love everybody's songs of praise?"
"Sure," said Ian. "God loves us all the same--and He loves to hear us sing even more than the birds." Ian looked at his dad. "I think I know what you're getting at. You're thinking of Ronan, aren't you?" Seeing his father smile, Ian said, "I guess God loves everyone's singing--even if they can't carry a tune. Right, Dad?"
"Exactly," said Dad. "When we sing from our hearts and praise God for saving us and making us His children, I'm sure He loves to hear us."
Lydia sighed. "Ronan may not be the best singer, but he sings from his heart and doesn't care what anyone else thinks."
Ian nodded. "Ronan, I criticize you no more," he said dramatically.
Lydia looked at the sparrows again. "His eye is on the sparrow," she sang softly, "and I know He watches me."
-Vera M. Hutchcroft
HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you sing songs of worship, do you sing from your heart? Do you think about the words you sing and offer them to God out of gratitude for all He’s done for you? God loves genuine songs of praise. Perhaps He gave you a beautiful voice. If so, use it for His glory by singing to Him. But even if you don’t have a gifted singing voice, you can sing anyway! He loves to hear His children’s songs of praise.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Psalm 68:32 (KJV)
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; oh, sing praises to the Lord. (NKJV)