This short story will help children understand the reason why we sing.
It was a bright, sunny morning and Lita awoke with a big smile on her face. Today, was the day that she would sing a solo on the children’s choir. Lita was so excited and a little nervous. Lita and Mommy had been attending regular choir rehersals every week, but she still wondered if she could remember the words to the song with all of those people looking at her.
Just then, Mommy and Daddy came into Lita’s room to make sure she was out of bed. They both gave Lita a hug and told her how proud they were of her. Mommy and Daddy told Lita to remember the meaning of the song. Daddy said if she remembered the meaning of the song that it might help her not feel so nervous in front of the crowd. Lita wasn’t sure if she understood the meaning of her song, but she knew she would try her best to understand it.
Lita got up from bed, washed, and changed into her church clothes. After eating breakfast, Lita and the entire family left for church. They arrived at Holy Tabernacle just in time. Pastor Rolwin was just starting the praise and worship service. This was Lita's favorite part of the service. She loved to sing and dance for the Lord. Lita couldn’t wait until she was old enough to join the Praise Steppers, but for now she was very happy singing on the children’s choir.
After praise and worship, Pastor Rolwin called one of the ministers up to read a prayer and a scripture. Lita and the entire church stood up while the minister read the scripture. Lita always wondered why they had to stand up whenever a scripture was read until Mommy explained that it was to show respect to the Word of God. Daddy said that it was even written in the Bible.
When everyone finished, the Pastor called the children’s choir up to the front of the church to sing. Lita was so nervous. It felt like little butterflies were flying around in her stomach. The choir director handed Lita the mike. Lita watched the organist for signal and looked out at the people in the church pew. It seemed like there were hundreds of faces staring back at her. Lita was so nervous that she forget the words to the song. The organist played the cue again but Lita stood frozen at the front of the church. The choir director looked worridly at her. Some of the children in the choir began to chuckle and laugh. Lita felt horrible and began to cry.
Just then Lita felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Mommy had come up front with her to whisper something in Lita's ear. Mommy told Lita to remember what Daddy had told her. Lita tried to think really hard about what Daddy had said to her this morning. Then, she remembered Daddy telling her that it was important to remember the meaning of the song. So, while Mommy whispered the words in her ear. Lita thought about what those words really meant. Tears were coming down Lita's face because she was embarrassed about forgetting the words. Mommy reminded Lita that it was o.k. and encouraged her to sing along with her.
Lita started to sing,
“Blessed the Lord. Oh, my soul…
and all….that is within me…
Bless his Ho-ly name.”
Lita and Mommy sang the first verse together. And then Lita took a deep breath and sang the second verse.
“He has done great things…..
“He has done gre-at things….
He has done great great things…
Bless his ho-ly name.”
Lita was holding Mommy’s hand in one hand while holding the mike in the other. Lita did not feel so nervous anymore. All of the children started singing in unison and Lita sang the first verse over again by herself.
“Why don’t you bless the Lord," Lita sang.
The other children repeated after Lita
“Bless the Lord”
“Oh, my soul…”sang Lita.
“Oh my soul” the children repeated
“And all that is within me
Bless His ho-ly name.” sang Lita.
Then the entire choir joined in with Lita. Everyone begin to stand up and clap while the children were singing. Lita began to understand what Daddy was trying to say about feeling the meaning of the song.
When Lita went back to her seat, Daddy gave her a big hug. She finally understood what Daddy meant about understanding the meaning of the song. It didn’t matter that she was scared or felt embarrassed about messing up the solo. The words of the song told Lita to bless the Lord. Lita had a good time on the choir that day blessing the Lord! After the children finished singing, Pastor Rolwin preached a sermon called the “Meaning of My Song.” Lita smiled to herself because she finally new the meaning of her song.
Enchanta (50,000 words) is an imaginative young adult fantasy novel for children eight to thirteen that adults could also enjoy. The story has lots of magic, adventure and surprises.
