Take a Look Upwards...

  Way up in a small nook of a loft in the living room, there sits a small church.  It has been there for years and years.  It does not get used as much as it once did but it makes me smile almost daily.  You see, back when I was just a wee tot, my granddaddy made this church.  He lovingly pieced it together from scrap wood that he had in his shop.  The project began at a request from my mother.  Mom was teaching Sunday School and wished to explain the parts of the church.  As was the custom of architectural plans of churches, Granddaddy built this church in the shape of a Christian cross with the long portion of the cross being the center aisle and the junction of the cross near the altar.  The roof lifts off so the entire interior of the church can be viewed.  This tiny church has working doors, miniature pews, a wooden pipe organ, choir loft and altar.  There are even teeny-tiny candlesticks and a cross on atop the steeple!  

  Since the church dates back as far as my toddler days, it is quite old.  Back in the day, Mom would tote it to church for a while as she taught her lessons.  At the end of that segment, the building would come back to the old farmhouse.  There, it would sit in the attic until Christmastime.  Mom always requested that the church come down to sit on a table near the Christmas tree.  Sometimes, it would sit on top of the old upright piano.  I was always fascinated by the small building and would stare through the doors at all the inner workings.  Then, when Mom and Pop left this world, the church went to stay at my sister's house.  Eventually, it was stuck in the attic of their shed and sat unnoticed for years.  At some point, the shed roof had a leak and a bit of damage was done to everything stored within.  She asked if I cared to have the church. Sure!

  At the Little Bayou House, the church, once again, became a thing of interest.  Not as its original purpose but due to Son's playtime when he was a toddler, we had some mighty righteous Ninja Turtles!  Those little green fellows went to church regularly and then protected the world from the dinosaurs that roamed just outside the double doors!  The church received a bit more wear and tear from a little fellow climbing in and out of the church.  Then, he outgrew his playthings and the church made its way up high into the loft area.  There, it sits to be viewed by any who take the time to look upwards.  Well, isn't that the whole point of a church?  When it seems as if things are crashing down around you, look up.  That is where the answer is.