If you don't laugh, you cry - or Happy Mother's Day

The boys sang again in children's choir in church this morning.  The song was "Rise and Shine", which is a long song for kids to remember all the words to, so she had them focus on the chorus and encouraged them to sing loudly on that part.  Between that, some sugary treat given in Sunday School that was kicking in, and me bribing my boys with a special treat later if they sang the song, it was the perfect storm.
It started with a set of bongos (ironically set up for Tim to accompany the choir later in the service) that was set way too close to the area where the kids were supposed to sing, which led to Micah giving an impromptu bongo performance prior to the kids singing.  I was mortified, but the congregation thought it was hysterical, which only encouraged Micah, as you'll see in the video.

Spurred on by the laughter from the congregation, Micah was so excited that he had trouble keeping his hands to himself, so I took him out of the singing for a couple of verses before letting him get back up and sing again.  When I let him back up, he took the instructions to "sing loudly" to heart and started yelling the last chorus.  I was going to pull him out, but other kids were yelling at that point and some of the congregation members sitting near me told me to just let him sing.  So I did, and started laughing so hard tears were falling down my cheeks.  If you don't laugh, you cry, right?  What can you do?

During the children's message, the person leading it gave Micah a shout-out for his exuberance and joy that started the worship service.  Many other people I talked to after the service just laughed at how happy he was and told me how wonderful it was to hear both him and Liam singing.
Here's what I learned about being a mom today, on Mother's Day.
I learned that it's important to give our kids opportunities to express themselves freely.
I learned that it's important for me to get past my need to have my children behave exactly the way I want them to in every situation.
I learned that it's important that I accept and embrace the fact that they are four and almost-three years old, and they will act like four and almost-three-year olds and that's often a really beautiful thing, especially when they're praising Jesus.
I learned that a congregation full of people can teach me how miraculous my children are.
I learned that I will look back on today with joy in my heart and overflowing love for two little boys who sang
their hearts out this morning, encouraging members of the congregation to "rise and shine and give God your glory".
I learned that I am one blessed mom.
Happy Mother's Day.