Yesterday I took the morning off from work. I really shouldn't have. I am way behind in deadlines and have all sorts of customer requests that need to be filled. My team is working extra long hours, so there was conflict inside of me.  My daughter, discipleKelly, was playing her clarinet at the school's chapel.  It was the first time she had ever played in front of a bunch of people other than our little family. She was excited and nervous at the same time. I was excited for her. I knew that there would always be more work, but never another time to see my daughter's first clarinet performance.

The school is about 300 strong and all the students were gathered in the gym for chapel.  Only a few of the parents were in attendance. Chapel isn't for the parents. It is for the kids.  I sat and watched as they all settled into their seats.  Then a young lady...maybe 9...walked out and led us all in the pledges to the Christian flag and to Old Glory.  Then a group of four kids...different ages...came out and led the entire school in prayer.  My heart was softened when I saw how much these kids loved the Lord and it wasn't just something their parents did or something that happened on Sunday. This was in school (sure, it is a private school) and their "performance" was for only One.

What happened next was simply amazing.  About 20 kids walked out to the floor of the gym. Some took up instrruments and others gathered around microphones. All the kids were sixth through 12 grade.  All dressed in black shirts and jeans. All in one accord.  One young lady started to pray and the band started to play. Then they led the school in singing. Aaron Shust's song...

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at his right hand
Stands one who is my savior

I take him at his word and deed
Christ died to save me this I read
And in my heart I find a need
For him to be my savior

That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my savior

My savior loves, my savior lives
My savior's always there for me
My God he was, my God he is
My God he's always gonna be

Yes, living, dying; let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring
That he who lives to be my king
Once died to be my savior

That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my savior

My savior loves, my savior lives
My savior's always there for me
My God he was, My God he is
My God he's always gonna be

It wasn't a performance. It was true worship. The entire school body singing together decalring their love for our God.  I watched and worshiped in awe, tears flowing as my heart was singing.

We sang a couple of other songs and ended with Newsboys "He Reigns". It was an awesome time of worship. My daughter eventually came up and played her clarinet in a way that would make any dad proud.

After one hour, everybody was dismissed and they all went back to their classes.  I left to make my 90 minute dirve into DC.  My heart encouraged.  What I do does make a difference. It doesn't seem like it usually. I spend long hours in DC trying to help government folks serve the country better. Sometimes it is like being stuck on a ride at a carnival. Initially it seems like fun, but eventually you just want it to end.  But this day was different.  There is a group of kids being raised and trained to love the Lord THEIR God with their whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.

They aren't just learning it. They are doing it. I was encouraged.  It is only an added blessing that my kids are in this school. What encourages me the most is that these kids are getting a great education built on a foundation that is solid. They won't have to tear down and rebuild like I did.  They won't have to relearn things like I did.  What a great way to start off in life.  That, in my humble opinion, is the American dream and I am so thankful to have a small taste of it.

Copyright 2007, Larry Reagan