Forgive those of us on the back pew at Sunday’s 9:45 a.m. service even though we know exactly what we did. What we did was turn to mush in the presence of a precious baby, proving that you never when and how your heart will be warmed in or out of worship.

I’ve taken up worship residence in that back pew, the better to appreciate the processional (I love it!) and get a view of the entire Sanctuary. Our newly refurbished Sanctuary is lovely all the time but especially when it’s filled. This past Sunday brought a bonus: A precious child in a blue gingham dress, nesting in her father’s arms in the pew in front of us. From the Opening Voluntary through the Gloria Patri, that child knew she had our attention and she put on a show. She buried her face in her father’s neck, smiled at us, waved at us – and we smiled and waved back at her, a half-dozen so-called adults enthralled by this little bundle of innocence and joy. I’m sure the anthem was lovely. I’m just not sure what it was, since my mind and heart were elsewhere.

The baby never uttered a cry. She was too busy smiling. Being respectful of the time and place, the father did slip out with his baby when the happy cooing continued for more than a few seconds. Good thing for us, otherwise we might have acted silly right through Dr. Howell’s sermon.

We’d have been just as charmed in the presence of a cranky child. But this was no Sunday morning for crankiness. The beautiful baby staring back at us smiled a smile that made God’s beautiful morning shine even brighter.