Page 254 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

welcomed by another friendly greeter. We’ll have to wait until
after the service to find out just how friendly. Gord and I sit near
the back and enjoy the white-haired lady tinkling on the piano.
A small group of singers leads the rest of us in song. It feels so
good to be back in a church singing an old hymn. Suddenly I’m
transported to my childhood. I can almost smell the pages of
that heavy old hymnal, full of songs written by devoted men and
women. I’ve missed this.
A rather slight man with reddish-brown hair and beard,
dressed formally in a suit and tie, welcomes his congregation. An
air of humility flows from behind his timid smile as he greets his
flock with loving words and caring eyes. His spirit is so much
different than the kissing minister. Together, Gord and I read
from the program handed to us. I point to the pastor’s name. It
reads Pastor Duguid. We look at each other and smile.
“Do Good!” I giggle under my breath. Gord squeezes my
hand knowingly. It feels so good to be sharing in our search
together and this is just plain funny!
Softly asking us to bow our heads with him, the pastor begins
to pray. I am instantly engulfed by a tangible presence that washes
over me from head to toe. A true reverence surrounds this meek
and unassuming man. I can tell his heart is tender. As Pastor
Duguid begins to read from his Bible and share his message, I
feel I am the only one in the sanctuary. Every word is just for me.
How could he possibly know? I have never met this man
before. He does not know me or where I have just come from.
How does this Baptist preacher manage so easily to reach
inside my heart, my soul, my very being? The message he shares
penetrates with such a beautiful expression of love and hope.
Tears begin to roll down onto my Sunday best. My heavenly
Father is wooing me. Wooing us. My heart knows there is no
need to search for the perfect church any longer. God has led us to

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