My beautiful 6-year-old, Rebekah, was the source of much amusement during worship this morning.  Again.

The children had just  returned from children’s church and the congregation was preparing for communion.  Before supper is served we take time to give back to God.  This is where we “pass the plate.”  Rachel had procured from her purse a few coins to put into the collection plate and, at the last-minute, Bekah noticed this.  She made a split decision to give her one and only dollar.  By the time she started looking for her purse the plate was at our pew. 

Bekah:  “Where’s my purse? Where’s my purse?  MOMMA, I CAN’T FIND MY PURSE!!!!!!!!!”

Me:  “Ssshhh.  It’s okay.”

Bekah, crying:  “I want to put in my dollar.”  Suddenly not crying, “Oh, here it is.  Wait for me, Momma!!!!”

Me, holding the collection plate:  “It’s ok, honey, I’m waiting.”

At this point Bekah opens her purse and pulls out a smaller, more elaborate purse.  As she opens that one I have visions of her pulling out smaller and smaller purses, kind of like the toys that nestle inside each other.  But no, out of the second purse she retrieves a very wrinkly dollar bill.  She very proudly places it into the plate that I am holding and smiles at me.

As I pass the plate to the usher I notice that all the people around us are barely containing themselves.  It is at this point that Bekah’s face falls, ever so slightly.  As I watch she reaches again for the smaller purse.  She opens it and looks inside.  Then she turns it toward me so that I can see into it.  It is empty and she says, “Now I don’t have any money left…”

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