Brand New Way to Praise

Today Holden made his singing debut in church singing a song called "A Brand New Way to Praise".  He got to sing it in both services this morning and tonight at the Children's Christmas Program.  I can't even begin to express how proud I was of him.  He was fabulous!!!  He sang the solo beautifully and had a narrator role telling the story of Christ's birth.  

When he sang the first time this morning, I wanted to shout to the whole church, "That's MY son!"  But of course I restrained myself.  As a teacher for 13 years, I have had several groups perform in school programs, and I thought that was a rush, but they don't compare to the joy in watching MY own son sing about Jesus!  

I must stop and tell you that Holden sang with a 102.3 fever!  When I picked him up from school on Friday night, he was running a fever.  After me being as sick as I was two weeks ago, I didn't want to take any chances.  I took him to the doctor, and they said it was a virus that should be gone in a day or two.  Well Holden has been running a fever all weekend!  But fever or not, he was absolutely amazing today!  Jason told him, "The show must go on!"  Holden sang his heart out and recited his lines like a pro.

Last September when I first started taking Holden to church on Wednesday nights, I never imagined how much of an impact it would make on him.  In the last year and a few months, Holden has made friends at church, gone away to camp, gone to Vacation Bible School, been in three children's programs, and even one of the Sunday morning church videos.  He truly ENJOYS going to church.  Most importantly, on September 19, Holden prayed to receive Christ as his personal Savior.  On September 30, he was baptized to let the world know about his decision.  

Holden is so good at memorizing scripture and being able to quote it weeks after memorizing it.  He truly has hidden away God's word in his heart.  I wish I could say he has Jason or me as role models in this area, but Holden is truly the leader of that in our home.  Jason and I want to follow Holden's example.  

When Holden tried out for the solo and speaking part in this program, he was supposed to memorize a scripture.  He chose to memorize Psalm 100 (the one Teresa read at our wedding).  He memorized it in ONE night, and can recite it to anyone who asks him.  

I have so much respect for this little man.  Holden is an amazing kid.  God has huge plans for our Holden.  As his mother, I hope I can guide him and then get out of the way and let God do His thing.  

On the way home from church Wednesday night, I was telling Holden how proud I was of the job he is doing with his solo and speaking part, and Holden said, "I'm glad you're my mom."  I said, "I am glad you're my son."  He asked me if I wanted to know why he was glad.  I held my breath and said yes.  Holden said, "Because if you weren't my mom, I wouldn't get to go to church like I do, and  I wouldn't be singing in the Christmas program.  I love our church."  

Since becoming Holden's mother, I have made MANY mistakes, but I know the one thing I have done right, is taking my boy to church.  Holden takes in everything at church and asks questions when he doesn't understand.  He even teaches Jason and I new things.  Some of my favorite moments with Holden are when we are in the car and I can hear him in the back seat singing praise and worship music along with the radio.

I have rambled a little with this post, but I am so proud of Holden.  He has matured so much in the last year.  I am so honored to be his mother.  I started out with Holden's song--"A BRAND NEW WAY TO PRAISE".  Well as I watch Holden grow in his walk with Christ, I also have a brand new way to praise.  I can praise God for giving me such an amazing young man as my son!