Remembering Worship for Children

By Sarah Humphrey

I recently started taking piano lessons for the first time in my life. As a high schooler, I learned how to read music in choir class, and I enjoyed the process of singing in tune with my classmates. Over twenty years have gone by since I finished those choir classes and started an adult life that did not consist of intentional music. It wasn’t that I purposely left the music out, but it was simply that other things took its place. Whether it was classroom studies, a new job, getting married, or having children, music didn’t seem so much in the forefront of my brain as did learning all that I needed in order to “survive” growing into adulthood.

What I’ve noticed since being back in music has been life changing. By learning something new, which strikes cords and creates melodies, I have found that I am a much better woman, wife, mother, and teacher. I have found my interactions with children to be increasingly more fun, full of grace and joy, and easily patient.

As I sat at the piano keys to learn a simple song that most six years olds could learn, I found my eyes looking to the notes with increased intention, brain waves moving, and a whole new appreciation for the learning curve of children. It was another reminder to slow down, give plenty of room for process and transitions, and to encourage children in their small steps of faith.

As an adult, it might be easy for us to read a Bible story and understand it right away. Perhaps it’s easy for us to pray or drop to our knees in confession when we’ve done something wrong or when we have been desperate for God’s help. Maybe we can honestly have relational conversations that turn our hearts towards Jesus, and so it might be difficult for us to understand why children, other adults, or even family members don’t seem to be able to follow through with a healthy lifestyle.

In this stage of church history, we are being called into an increasingly patient, truthful, and merciful stance as believers. Our interactions with the children we teach need to be equally graceful and calm. A lot is being presented to us for the first time to figure out, and we need God’s guidance to worship Him in Spirit and Truth. 

If you are a Sunday School teacher, caregiver, ministry leader, or anything of the like, consider asking the Lord if He might want to teach you a deeper walk in worship in this season of challenge.  If you’ve never played a musical instrument, prayerfully think about it! If you create structure, plans, safety, and education for kids, ask God to touch their hearts in a way that gives them a much needed boost during the chaos of this time of history. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the needs of the children around you, ask God to take you to a deeper place in Him.

What our children need from us most is joy, truth, and teaching them a lifestyle of worship that is full of grace and presence. As we learn how to slow down, remember the ways of music, and humbly take a seat where our kids daily live, we can find deep truths that will nourish our souls even in the midst of challenge and heartbreak.

The little things are really the big things. I’m so grateful for an increase of His care for me as I remember myself in Him. I’m looking forward to how that will also impact the children around me in pleasant and surprising ways.

Sarah is a wife and homeschool mom to three kids while also working as an artist, author, life coach, and voice actor.  Her writing and doodling can be found in her devotional, “40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood” and her voice in several commercials, children’s books, and audiobooks. Her education and love for holistic science also leads her to teach small workshops on health, wellness, and creativity. She loves encouraging women and kids to embrace self-care, utilize their gifts, and become leaders in the community around them.  Her latest devotional for tweens, “Solomon Says” releases this November. Until then, you can follow her Instagram @the.table.and.bath!