MOM: Chris, what do you like best about Church?

CHRIS: (in a childish voice) I like cough drops.

MOM: I know you like cough drops, but what do you like best about church?

CHRIS: Well, cough drops are important to little kids like me.

MOM: Cough drops are very nice if you have a cough.

CHRIS: You mean if I don't have a cough, they're not nice?

MOM: Oh, I imagine you'd like them anytime, but they're for a cough.

CHRIS: Well, I like them in church.

MOM: Cough or not?

CHRIS: I feel so good while I'm sitting next to you and kind of snuggling up, chewing on a cough drop.

MOM: Kind of good?

CHRIS: Warm--like belonging, you know.

MOM: Belonging?

CHRIS: That's the way I feel about church. I belong here, where the music and Margaret's cough drops are and where the words says that God loves me even if I am a little kid.

MOM: Even if?

CHRIS: We, I don't have a job or anything like that, but God doesn't seem to mind.

MOM: No, God doesn't seem to mind at all. In fact, I'd venture to say that God likes very much to have you in church, unemployed though you might be.

CHRIS: Cough drops and all?

MOM: Cough drops and all! Bye everybody. (puppets down)



(Adopted from Ann Weems book "Reaching for Rainbows", page 39 & 40, published by Westminster Press)