The sanctuary was dark, the stage illuminated. In a foreign space, music filled the cavernous sanctuary and familiarity felt near.
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
The words sang by members of the congregation caused me to forget I was in a church I didn’t know, in a city I’ve never heard of, in a state I’ve never been to. Everything felt—for a moment—known. Only during worship can the mundane become sacred. Only through actions can Christ be manifested. Only through staring had I made a sacred moment profane.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
She sat in the front row next to her mom who sat next to her dad, the pastor of the church. She smiled vivaciously and entered the sanctuary like a beauty queen, smiling and shaking hands with congregants. Her hair was straightened and neatly tied in place by a black headband with flower attached to it. Her green eyes sparkled as they belied her special needs. Special needs that made Olivia a special person.
Hands lifted and eyes closed, she sang with such passion and fervor, Matt Redman would be proud. His lyrics were written just for her, the girl with the floral headband, infectious smile and sparkling eyes. Her worship was so earnest, it was hard not to stare.
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
The church roared out the chorus with sacred belief in each lyric sung. Moved by the poignant words, a congregant seated nearby in a wheelchair approached the stage and wept near the altar. It was then that it happened. I saw her black headband with the flower attached move passed mother, father, and the front row, as she gently approached the woman in the wheelchair. Without saying a word, Olivia reached out her hand and placed it on the woman’s shoulder, while extending her other hand high into the air. She closed her eyes and sang out…
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name
It was a sacred moment of true worship no eyes should have see, but no one could help but stare. A beautiful girl with an extra chromosome worshipped freely and refused to let Down Syndrome withhold her from meeting a need she felt called to meet.
Special needs. The label frames a perception and instinctively causes us to categorize ability, worth, and value. As I saw the beautiful girl with the floral headband worship the Lord, I turned my face. I could no longer stare. Special needs for a special girl with a special ability to make the profane sacred by laying hands on someone in need.
I was the one teaching. I was the one suppose to impart a divine revelation. I was the one who stood on stage. But the real preacher was Olivia, for she preached without saying a word.
thank you, special needs also requieres special patience.. and on those days i lack it.. it feels good to be reminded that special.also means amazing..
What a powerful moment (& I’m just reading about it)! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful
As a momma of a beautiful boy with the label “special needs” I see every day how amazing and profound his love is for others. Many times I’ve been told what a good mom I am and what blessing it is for him to have me as his mother…but I always make the correction…I am the one who is blessed. I truly believe that their “special needs” give them a deeper connection and understanding to the needs of others. How beautiful that you were able to witness this act of love!
Awesome post Bianca. Well said.
Awesome post Bianca…well said!! 😀
Wow…powerful…and yes ‘Liv is special to all of our hearts! Used by God in many ways.
What an inspiration to others. This story is amazing and brought tears to my eyes. It also reminded me about faith. All it takes is the faith the size of a mustard seed. When someone tells you, you will be come nothing, or you will never make a difference or you will end up nowhere, keep the faith. What an amazing example, inspiration and testimony to The Lord! That is true worship! We can all learn from Olivia! Thank you Jesus for Olivia! She is one amazing woman! She is a woman of God!
Miss Olivia is part of the reason we sit up front at Lifechurch. Her worship, love for others and beautiful smile touch my heart every time we go to church. She is just a beautiful as you described.
Brought tears to my eyes….thank you for sharing!!
You are able to vividly describe events, I can picture them in my imagination so well! Thanks for sharing.:)
Where’s your dating/relationship/SINGLE book?! Get on it girl!!
That was really touching B… thanks for sharing!
Absolutely beautiful and powerful. Oh to be more like Olivia.
Absolutely beautiful! I am asking for your permission to share this with a friend of mine who is a Pediatrician who specializes in Down Syndrome and two friends, both parents of amazing children like Olivia.
Of course, Dawn. Of course! 🙂
I was very inspired by your message; in fact it was enlighten to use my book to benefit this cause.
May The Lord our God continue to do wonders through this ministry. AMEN!
As I read this beautiful message, tears came to my eyes tears of joy. I have the privilege to say I my self have witness that beautiful smile and those beautiful blue eyes “Olivia” I Love Olivia
A a mom of a child who is very special to our family and God, I was very encouraged by this.
yes! Special means gifted by God to have intimacy with Him in a way we’ll never know!