I was leading the congregation in a guided prayer, naming all the things we needed to bring to God. Praise was on the list, also thanksgiving and intercession. Of course, confession was part of the prayer, too. 

       That was when the "Uh-Oh" came...during confession.

       All this happened last weekend at the Alliance of Baptists' annual gathering at First Baptist Church of Greenville, SC. The theme for the convocation was Little Altars Everywhere, taken from the title of the book by Rebecca Wells who also authored The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

       Since the Alliance of Baptists is big on seeing all of life as sacred, the title was a natural fit. Here's a quote from the book: I see all the ordinary stuff---our brick house, the porch, the tool shed, the oil drum barbecue pit, the clothesline, the chinaberry tree. But they are all lit up from inside so their everyday selves have holy sparks in them, and if only people could see those sparks, they'd go and kneel in front of them and pray and just feel good. Somehow the whole world looks like little altars everywhere.

       Altars require art; and art requires artists. In each worship service an artist was at work on the church's chancel during worship as an act of praise. Our own Susan Harlan was one of these. She wove a prayer shawl on her loom right before our eyes. Like the Bible verse says, "We are knit (woven) together in love."

       I had the honor of introducing Susan and to offer a theme interpretation. I recalled how three Alliance of Baptists churches have shaped my adult life by weaving me into their life and love: Northminster Church in Monroe, LA; Ravensworth Baptist Church in northern Virginia; and our congregation, Northside Drive Baptist.

       "I am me because of you," I said, "you have taught me how to love."

       But back to the Uh-Oh....

       During the guided prayer, I gave silent space for heart-words to rise. Yet, the silence was not silent. A restless kid, possibly a three year old, was making noises somewhere in the congregation. It was fine with me. If we all knew the power we dabble with in prayer...we should all be restless!

       I named how the Easter stone that rolled-away from Jesus' tomb has kept on rolling, breaking down walls humans have built to separate us from one another and from God. "However," said I, "that same Easter stone has ROLLED OVER and STEPPED ON OUR TOES; and we confess our complaint!"

       That's when the kid said it. "UH-OH!" It rose like a mushroom cloud out of the silence.

       Slowly, a giggle spread down the pew. Then, a chuckle possessed that whole section. Then, holy laughter rolled through the congregation like a wave.

       Some truths are simply put.

       "UH-OH indeed!" I prayed in response. "And OH-NO. And eventually, AH-HA. Amen."

       Prayer doesn't get more holy than that.

       In retrospect, maybe it was not a kid who said, "Uh-Oh." Maybe it was the Holy Spirit. Maybe an Easter angel.