Psalm 72:1-3

1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice. 3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.

The first church service for a four year old: It was a glorious Sunday. The first day of church ever for Elizabeth. A new coat that was fit for a princess, white ankle socks (but still had to wear the brown Oxfords), patent leather probably had not been invented yet. She couldn’t remember what she wore under the coat, but it didn’t matter, she was never taking it off. But the hat...she was sure the Queen had never worn finer! The soft silky gloves that only a movie star would wear, with the ruffle around the cuff. Such finery to be worn at this Highland Baptist Church on Park Street. The grand finale: Her dad gave her a quarter to put in the plate. What on earth was the plate? So off to church they walked, Elizabeth and cousin Marie, the quarter clutched ever so tightly so it would never come out of that glove. They made it to church, the steps up to the main door (oh so regal) then inside. The pews must have came from heaven. The service went on and on. What the minister said did not matter, just that Elizabeth looked wonderful and cousin Marie didn’t look so bad either. Then it happened…”The Plate” and it was getting closer and closer. Money was going in it, oh dear she thought what shall I do? I cannot part with this money. The plate got to her and Marie gave her the nod to drop the money into the plate. Look, well there was a lot of silver in “The Plate” so Elizabeth dropped the quarter and took a dime back! Needless to say, she got a sharp slap on the wrist, no quarter or dime to be had. Elizabeth wasn’t sure if God would spend it wisely and it really didn’t hurt to give as it was not her quarter to begin with.

- Liz Hickey