He was maybe 4 years-old.
He had short blonde hair and big brown eyes and was happy the way children are happy.
He kneeled for most of the Sunday worship service as he pushed around his trucks on the seat of the pew, making soft sounds with his mouth.
Some boys choose dinosaurs.
Some choose animals.
Some choose sports.
He chose trucks.
His older sisters were next to him, followed by his mom and dad.
My wife and I sat behind him and every now and again he would look at me and smile before returning to his trucks.
They were matchbox size.
I imagine his mother said to him before they walked into church, “You can only bring three trucks into church this morning.”
It’s a holy number.
One a yellow pick-up truck.
The other two were rigs without the trailers.
As we sang the opening hymn he moved the trucks left and right, forwards and backwards.
He was content, listening as he played.
He bounced his head along to the tune as the wheels on the trucks went round and round.
When it was time to pray he would park his trucks and fold his hands and bow his head and close his eyes.
As soon as we said Amen he went back to work.
When it was time for the children’s message he popped up off his knees, scooted himself past his sisters and parents before sitting next to our Pastor.
He listened and smiled as our Pastor explained how we are God’s treasure.
We are precious and unique and worthy.
We are found and cared for and loved.
On the way back to the pew he stopped and hugged his mom.
He sat in her lap for a few minutes before eventually crawling behind his sisters, returning to the end of the pew to play with his trucks.
He continued to make soft noises with his mouth, powering them gently across the red cushioned pew.
I cannot help but think that he wasn’t just at worship, but he was worshiping.
It is all praise. 

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.