There's something about Mary

No, not the movie. You know, Mary, as in the virgin mother. Yesterday evening, I was reading Wisdom and the Millers to the kids before bed. The particular chapter we read stirred Olivia to question what a virgin is. As there were other, even younger ears in the room, I gave a very basic answer.
"A virgin is an unmarried woman who has not yet shared the special closeness needed between a husband and wife before they can have a baby."

Okay, no hands went up, no clarification was sought. 'Nuff said. On we went (Sheeeuw, why do they have to inquire so soon?)

Well, tonight I was tucking Olivia in. Now, first I have to say that tuck-ins are a big "to do" here in the 'H' home. We talk about our favorite moments of the day. We wrap up any unfinished business (ie. "Be angry, and yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26) We pray together. And we laugh together as well. And then there's the secret bedtime "handshake", where we look like a pro baseball coach going through those ridiculous looking secret hand motions with his pitcher. I know tuck-in time is one of those blessings I'll miss most when the kids are grown.

So, as we spent some tuck-in time together, she broke out in a soft song about Jesus (how it must bring joy to Him when one of His children adore Him in song). She loves to make up her own lyrical masterpieces and tonight was no exception. And, while I love my little songbird very much, I must say that singing is not one of her, uh hem, gifts.

She attempted to braid my hair in the darkness of her room, making use of the tiny trails of light that filtered in from the hall, as she tenderly sang (albeit majorly off key) about the angel visiting Mary. Her words went something like this;

And then an an-gel...
Appeared to Maaaaaaaa-ry (serious hang time on the first syllable there).
The angel said Mary would have a son and she would call him Jeee-sus.
But Mary was confused.
She asked, "How can this be since I am an orphan and I don't have any huuuu-sband?"

Well, it takes all I have to stifle a laugh when I find something funny. And my Olivia, singing her well intentioned heart out, referring to Mary as an orphan instead of a virgin, was just too much for this tired momma at the end of the day. I did at least manage to stifle my rising laugh so that it sounded like more of a suppressed sneeze. And it's a good thing too, because I would not have wanted to crush Olivia's sweet spirit in that moment. And anyway, I know there's plenty of time for her to get the details of God's word straight in her mind. It's what was in her heart that really mattered, and from where I was standing, her only intent was to praise and honor God through song. In that, I'm certain He was well pleased (and really, I have to think He giggled just a bit as well).

Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1

Toni