Today, at the end of class we were singing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. For most of prayer time, I try not to focus on the kids, but block them out a little, focus on the crucifix on the wall and really think about what I’m singing. For a few minutes, I’m someplace else and there is a strange sense of clarity and purpose and a sense of confirmation in what I do.
Then I remember that I’m teaching a class. So I discretely peek around the room and check out the children. I notice something really interesting. For the most part, the energy in the room is still. The parents are praying. The children are either singing along and looking at the crucifix, or walking quietly around the room studying the praying adults.
I especially notice Mia, a delightful, bright-eyed, 2 year old who has been coming to Making Music Praying Twice for a little over a year. She is normally full of energy. She went through a couple phases of not wanting to give her Mom the time to pray. I remember a younger Mia poking at her Mom, getting into mischief, doing anything to get her Mom, Mary’s, attention during prayer time. Mary has been an excellent Making Music Praying Twice parent. She trustingly follows the advice I give in class, reads her parent materials, and follows up with Mia at home. Mary believed me when I told the parents to ignore the children as much as possible and to pray at prayer time. “Do what you want them to do and leave them alone.”
Only a couple of children were not tuned into prayer time. Ironically, both of the families had off-task adults! One was busy getting the children a drink. The other was focused on her child who was trying to get her attention by climbing on Mom. This was a new mom. She was keeping him quiet by playing with him, but I’d rather he was whining and Mom was praying. Why? Because that’s how you get an active 2-year-old like Mia focused on the concept of prayer life. When a child sees Mom or Dad putting God first, a glimmer of truth about what really matters, affects that child in an amazing way.
Speaking of which, I soon refocused my attention on the Lord and prayed, “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” We made the Sign of the Cross, and the children erupted in a burst of energy: talking, laughing, jumping and dancing around the room. It highlighted even more profoundly how the children are affected by the group prayer experience in class. If this is happening on the outside, I can only imagine what amazing things God is doing inside these little one’s souls!
God bless your family,
Kate.
