Sometimes its not much fun being the pastor's son.  But there are some perks—like having the ear of the guy who plans the liturgy each Sunday.  At breakfast this morning, Will, my 5 year old, asked if he could pick the songs we sing this Sunday.  Realizing the large potential pool of music my 60 month old child might choose from I reluctantly agreed.  To my grateful astonishment he chose, O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, and When Peace Like a River (aka It Is Well With My Soul).  In all honestly—with all of my seminary training and ministry experience—I couldn't have picked any better. 

Why would Will pick these?  In part its because of a decision Hallie and I made early in parenthood. 

When we started worshiping together in our home as a family we had to choose whether we would go with A Mighty Fortress is Our God or Jesus Loves Me This I Know.  We chose the mighty fortress.  Our reasoning went like this. 

How much does our 2 year old really understand about the song Jesus Loves Me This I Know?  Very little.  Later, as he grows up, he'll understand a great deal about that simple statement and hopefully be able to articulate with warmth and depth what it means for Jesus—the second person of Trinity—to love him enough to die on the cross in his place.  So, on the principle that comprehension will come later and give weight to memorized songs, we thought, "Why not teach our kids the weighty hymns and psalms of the church?"  If I had to give a car to my child now that he would not be able to drive till he was 16 I'd rather give him a 2009 Chevy Pickup than an 1975 AMC Gremlin.  One will haul freight and the other will barely haul itself. 

Sitting at the table this morning I was glad for my son's selections but my joy extended beyond that.  As my son grows he'll have songs he can grow into, songs that will grow with him.  And for the timing being, my boy would rather ask God in song for a thousand worshipers of Jesus rather than simply hoping that he is one of Jesus's sunbeams—whatever in the world that means.

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