Alleluia!

I've been reading and thinking a lot about people's Easter experiences the last few days.  My Easter experience was a little different because I have a toddler.  Any worship experience is different with a small child who can't sit still, doesn't want you to open the hymnal or sing, needs candy, and is yelling for "DAD!".  I was also preoccupied with the other things I needed to do that day, like get the kids lined up to process in and help prepare an Easter breakfast.  The two services, two breakfasts, and having my family in town made for a long morning.

With all that being said, the best part of my Easter was getting the "alleluia" back.  I missed it.  I don't know if many people realize or think about it like I do, but when Lent starts and we put the alleluia away, I am very aware of it.  That kind of thing really speaks to my spirituality and how I worship.  So on Easter we got our alleluia back along with a risen Christ!  

I was moved when our Sunday School kids carried the alleluia back into the congregation during the first hymn.  I was also moved at the other church when I was able to actually sing the liturgy (Martin was eating candy) and finally got to sing For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.  Alleluia.  I loved that!