I am happy to tell you that I have had an article published this month in Angels on Earth, a national magazine with a circulation of 350,000. I got my copy in the mail on Saturday and enjoyed seeing my name pop up when I turned to the right page. Nothing like a popping up name to brighten one’s day!
Yesterday afternoon I sang at the funeral of Madi’s mom, Becki Jo. Madi is the young girl that Sarah and I have been mentoring the past several years. Sarah drove in an hour from college so she could also be there; in this picture, she and Madi were discussing that they are almost the same height. (I am so proud of Madi; she found the courage to get up and sing at her mom’s service and did an amazing job.)
It was a sweet, peace-filled service, although saying goodbye to a 39-year old woman is not an easy task, illustrated by the many tears shed.
After the reception in the church fellowship was over and I was exiting the building through the back of the sanctuary, I happene to notice this girl asleep in the pew.
The sight made me smile because I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep in a church pew as my parents were still busy praying, counseling, or talking with people.
Of course, my own kids have their own Pew Sleeping Stories to tell, as well.
As I stood for a moment near that sleeping child, I inhaled the aroma of hymnals and history. I listened to the memories of the songs sung and the prayers whispered over the years and I couldn’t help but smile.
There are few things I love more than standing in an old church with my eyes closed. Breathing. Remembering. Listening.
Because for those who have ears to hear, there remains a boundless stream of stories, songs and prayers that can still be snatched from the air around us–sounds that reemerge from the dust and the years and the gatherings and the tears from all those decades past.
I took that moment and held it close.
I listened. I heard. I was grateful for the history I was embracing and I was grateful for the future I was facing because I knew that whatever that future holds, it will always be anchored by the truths that have been prayed and sung and loved by all who gathered–and all those who continue to gather–in these pews.
What about you? Do you love old buildings? What is it that you love?
Congratulations on another publication! My condolences to Madi on the loss of her mother. So sad to lose your Mom at such a young age. P.s. You can also tell Madi that I love her hair, it’s beautiful, as is she!
Been playing catch up on your posts as things have been busy and hectic.
Kari,
I agree–Madi has beautiful hair! I wouldn’t have to dry all of that but it certainly is lovely!
Glad you’re catching up on past posts. Thanks so much for taking the time to do that.
Hi Becky, Usually when “Angels” arrives, I start at the beginning and read to the end one story at a time. Not this time. . . this time I had to rush right to your story. Congratulations on having your story printed! I seem to remember you posted about that cake a while ago. Isn’t it amazing how angels are all around us if we only choose to recognize them as such.
My thoughts, prayers and love go out to Madi. She (and her grandmother) are blessed to have you and Sarah in rheir lives. I am sure your love and support will become even more important to them now.
Linda,
It’s been interesting to hear how many of my readers subscribe to Angels on Earth; I hadn’t even heard of the magazine until my story was published there. It’s definitely inspiring reading!
Congratulations on having the article published!! That’s super exciting!
I’m so sorry for Madi….she is so young to lose her mom. 🙁 Prayers for her.
I remember that mom & dad would go play bridge once a month at someone’s house and my brother and I always had to go along. We took our p.j.’s and had to go to bed there. Then when it was time to go, dad would load us up in the car and take us home. We usually kept sleeping since we could lay down in the seat….that was in the days before seat belts were a must. And we lived in Denver, so the drive usually took a while. Ahhhh….those memories! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Isn’t it amazing how those long ago memories stick with us down through the decades? It must have been a warm, safe feeling to fall asleep listening to the voices and laughter of familiar people.
Are you able to link to your article – for those of us over the pond?
Wendy,
I sure wish I could but I don’t have access to the online version of Angels on Earth; I only have the physical magazine.
I know many churches today are set up with chairs for their congregants but I too, remember the wooden pews from 50 plus years ago in our little Methodist Church in NJ, there were holders on the back of the seat in front of us for hymnals and Bibles….and the smell….wow Becky you really brought me back and also brought tears to my eyes when you spoke of Madi’s mom, I just met a friend of my daughter’s who lost her Mom 3 years ago when she was only 20…..she is still so fragile….it just breaks my heart, my husband lost both parents by the time he was 23, so hearing of such a young person suffering from such loss, really affects me, I am so glad she has Sarah and you in her life…..
Dale,
Yes, those wooden pews, and hymnal holders and the sweet and dusty smells of the years gone by . . . there really is nothing quite like the inside of an old church. I am glad you feel the same way.
Yes, losing a parent at such a young age is very difficult; Madi’s dad is no longer in her life so it’s just her and her grandma now. They are such sweet, brave people.
So glad to hear you had another story published. With your prolific writing I’m surprised we haven’t heard of more articles being accepted. Being a PK, I was a little older when my dad became a pastor, but do remember them being invited after Sunday evening service for coffee at someone’s home. After about 1 hour – “Mom can we go home now?” “Pretty soon honey, go lay down on their bed.” Don’t know if you ever did that, but I remember that. My dad’s first church was called Pinewood Chapel – a small country church and I remember going to it as a child when another man was the pastor. The benches were wooden and I remember when they had prayer and folks were to go to their knees in prayer and remember waking up many times in that position. Wonderful memories.
Sharyn,
I’ve often thought that there is no better place for a child to go to sleep and reawaken than in a church pew surrounded by murmurings of prayers and music and love.
Becky, I almost never skip your blog, but read it almost immediately, but did skip it this morning because I had a visitor coming. I brought my mail in maybe an hour or so ago and left it becaude it was damp from the rain. After doing a few things, I sat to wait for couple of phone calls and read your blog. After I finish my comment, I am going to my Angels on Earth Magazine and read your story first.
For those who do not know and are familiar with Guideposts Magazine, they also publish Angels on Earth and also Miraculous Ways which I also subscribe to. They are my three favorite magazines!
You may call Guideposts at 1-800-932-2145 to get a trial copy to any and all three magazines or to subscribe to any and all three magazines.
Elizabeth,
What great information to share about the trial copies of those great magazines; thanks for letting us know!
We all four would go to sleep in church when we were young age. People often commented about the Draper’s taking up a pew. So proud of you having an article published again. After Jim reads it he will share it with me. Love ❤️ the picture of Sarah with Madi.
Ann,
I love the mental imagine of 4 siblings all laid out end to end. Sweet and happy memories!
I love the smell when I walk into a church. I think it must be the wood that the pews are made of combined with the smell of the hymnals. Prayers to Madi and her family and congratulations on your article.
Mel,
Yes, if they could bottle “old church smell” I think I would spray it around our house. 🙂 Such an evocative smell.
Your paragraph after– “breathing–remembering–listening”– is lovely and true; old churches have a special place in the earth, where we can enter and slow our beings to grasp the history and sanctity of praise that many lives past have left behind. Ruth
Ruth,
Thank you for what you said about my writing. I loved YOUR words about “slowing our beings.” It seems like it is a rarer and rarer occurence for me to truly do that and yet it is so necessary for physical, mental and spiritual health.
What a beautiful post! I, too, have sweet and special church memories, and your post evoked them wonderfully. Madi will certainly be in our prayers. .she is so young to go through so much. Congratulations on the article!
Angela,
Thanks for your congratulatins on the article; it’s pretty exciting to see one’s name in print! And thank you for your prayers for Madi; her life hasn’t been easy by any means, but she always keeps a cheery heart.
Oh, so very excited for you about the article!! May they read, love and request many, many more!! Love you, Sweet Friend!
Thank you, Sheri.
I’ll be cheering with YOU when your book is published. So excited for you!