assurance

The children of the Church
enter the sanctuary with their teacher
Like lambs and a shepherd
delivering assurance to the congregation
That salvation includes them too

This part of the service is mostly filler
Getting the adults through the first 20 minutes
A bridge to something meatier (hopefully)
to feed their wandering minds and satisfy
their want want wanting, in a righteous direction

One in the flock walks nervously
as she follows the group to the front of the church
Maybe she is shy, or uncomfortable in this setting
Her eyes are big and brown, oversized pools,
that observe with concern the presumptions
of those around her, they are weighty and dreadful

She sits with her classmates on the floor, before the alter
With her hands clenched under her chin
And elbows balanced on her knees, she rocks a little
because it’s calming and repetitive, like some parts of this ritual   

It’s time for the lesson
the Bible kids fidget with eager-to-please
Hands in the air answers, ready
to burst from their much-loved mouths
And the question is asked:

“What is God like”?

The teacher inquires with emphasis
that echoes through the church pews
Like he is presenting a litter of well-trained puppies
Who can easily explain this and so much more, already

“God is good” says one
“God loves us” said another
“He made everything” and
“He wants us to share” said two more

Enjoying the clamor of the confident and generally compliant children
He seeks more input, they are on a roll
Looking over the heads of the answer-givers
His eyes meet hers, they are like magnets

“What is God like? There, you in the back”

She lifts her head from her stiff little hands
And speaks just loud enough for anyone paying attention,
as though she is both petrified and sorry about the truth of the matter,
“He is omniscient”, she says “He knows our thoughts and what’s in our hearts”

“Oh my” the teacher tugs at his own collar, not expecting this from a child
“Why yes, yes He is, God is omniscient”
the congregation giggles uncomfortably
it’s a big word for a little girl

With that the lesson is over
and the children march back through the narrow aisles
returning to the antiseptic children’s wing
where they are contained like chirping birds
in a cage with few windows, but safely
until church is over
 
So what is God like anyway? Good and rich
and inside the minds and hearts of mankind, all at the same time
It’s a fleeting notion to this group, not so important
Assurance has been granted and accepted for now
Salvation is in this routine,
somewhere