Caroline will be receiving her First Communion this year. It was a great moment for our family last year when Reagan did it. Prior to that sacrament, you must go through your First Reconciliation. This is when you confess your sins to a priest. It is a big deal for us Catholics, something that separates us from other Christian religions. Being Caroline's first time, you can bet she was nervous. Now, my inclination was to make up some scary stories to get Caroline more nervous. That's what my father did to me when I had to get my first physical for football. I am proud of myself, I showed a lot of restraint. I didn't tease her at all. I tried to make her as comfortable as possible. We rehearsed her lines, repeated the steps she would need to go through, and tried to prepare her as best as possible. She was ready to go, of course she would go first.
We walked her up to the priest and presented her to him. I remember that feeling of nervousness and helplessness the first time I dropped her off at school. Caroline was different than the her older sister. I was more nervous for her than Reagan ( & Baylor Grace). I wanted to protect Caroline. Tonight came with sort of the same feeling. When we walked her up there, it was like she was entering a new stage in her life. It was another one of those times when I had to let her go. It wasn't that big of a deal, I just one she was originally very nervous. So there I was behind the alter, watching my daughter who is scared of her own shadow all the way across the church, going through her first confession. I honestly thought she was going to need a hook. I was moved with emotion to see her hamming it up with the priest. Obviously, I have no idea what they were talking about. Whatever it was, she was full of smiles. Caroline was nervous no more.
After she rejoined me and the two big sisters, we went to a kneeler to pray. As a devote Catholic, I was so proud to kneel at the front of the church with 3 of my girls. I wondered what they were praying for, and then I prayed myself. When we were done and in the pews, I reflected back on my prayer. I didn't pray for a UK win tonight. I didn't pray for more money. I didn't pray for a new car, or anything else. I simply prayed for the health of the 5 girls that I live with, and I prayed for the health of their 4 grandparents. That's it. Its interesting how your prayer needs change as you change in your life. I just prayed for health and more time with the ones we love.
At this point it was time for me to go to confession myself.
Reagan: Dad, that was quick
Me: Well of course, I am a pretty good guy. I don't have much to confess.
Reagan: Did you confess the bad words you say during UK games?
Baylor Grace: Yeah Dad, you probably should have confessed that.
Me: Well, Baylor Grace, I'm sure you would be a pretty quick confessor as well. You always try and do the right thing, that makes me very proud of you.
Baylor Grace: Yeah, but not Hadley.
Caroline: Definitely not Hadley. She would probably spend the most time with the priest. She would have the most to confess.
We all couldn't help but laugh. I looked to my left and right and I was surrounded by my entire world. Additionally, in the same row were some really good friends that I am so thankful we have. In the back of the church my wife directing traffic. Somewhere in the building Hadley was running around causing problems. I couldn't help but feel the Holy Spirit surround me with love.
At that moment I asked for one more thing, and it happened to be a line from a song that I have sung so many times in buildings very similar to the one I was in. Until that moment, looking at my girls, it never hit me like it did tonight.....
I asked the Lord to "make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand."
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