I hurried into the service on Sunday morning, already late but not wanting to miss another moment.

My friend, Trina, stopped me and whispered in my ear "Linda, your hair is going all directions. Just thought you'd want to know!"

She smoothed my hair and I hurried into the already crowded sanctuary looking for a place to sit. Once I located a friend, climbed over 3 or 4 people to the empty seat, asked the teenager next to me if she was saving the seat, and took my seat I finally had a minute to collect myself.

Pastor Khris steps to the pulpit and welcomes us and asks us to take a few minutes to greet those around us. "Shake the hand of someone you do not know,” he says, like he does every Sunday. I'm not a big fan of this part of the service despite my usually outgoing personality but, being the rule follower and pleaser I shake hands with a couple folks around me. Then I realize that I have glue on my fingers, my blouse is buttoned askew, my name badge is upside down, and the necklace I started off wearing is still in my purse after having been removed after getting her hair caught in it. Slightly embarrassed I take my seat, hoping to not be noticed.

I am a Special Buddy in our Children's Ministry and these are the "battle wounds" that often accompany me to worship.

I work in the four-year-old classroom with Morgan, a little girl with trisomy 15 and autism. The other children don't really understand about Morgan and it has only been in the past few weeks that they have started to interact with her. Sunday they threw a beach ball to her while I helped her hit it back. They laughed and giggled wildly begging us not to stop! Morgan smiled. She sat in my lap during the story of Jesus and his disciples fishing and the teacher asked her what she loved about Jesus. Of course we answered for her, but she was included, welcomed, and loved. I'm becoming another teacher in the room, not just Morgan's Special Buddy. We are working as a team, as friends working toward a common goal.

Usually Morgan goes to class during our Sunday School hour and then goes with her parents to the service. More often than not one of them leaves with her. This is a common routine for them. I met her mom outside the service and when she said, "That was so wonderful" I first thought she was commenting on our new Celebration Pastor. She corrected me and told me that someone had taken Morgan during the service for her. A first for their family and a first for our church. She was beaming and almost floated to the children's building to get Morgan.

Hearts are softening, understanding is increasing, needs are being met in a tangible form, and lives are changing.

In light of this, glue on my fingers is no big deal!!