L. Tom Perry once said that Reverence is "an attitude of deepest love and respect." When I think about being reverent, one of the images that comes to my mind is a little child, sitting quietly, arms folded instead of monkeying about acting like a freak in church. Many other images come to mind, but there's something very sweet about a child's reverence.
On Sunday, I went to pick up Jack from his primary class, CTR4. I have to give a bit of background. My son is ALL boy. However, we have some rules about Jack's behavior during primary. I expect him to behave himself. I also expect him to keep himself dressed; that means...don't take off or otherwise damage your tie. Don't use it as a lasso or a headband. A tie, in primary, is not a tourniquet. Neither is it a lashing device. It isn't a whip. Jack knows this. In fact, when I drop him to primary, I generally give him a smooch and say the following: (it's my Primary mantra) "Be reverent, son. And, what is the rule about your tie?" He will look at me obediently and say, "No taking off my tie, ma." That's right. Leave it on.
So, back to Sunday. I pick Jack up and notice that he's completely dressed. Shirt untucked but tie in place. As Jack walks to me, his sweet teacher, Sister Bliss stops him, put her hand on his head and says, "I so appreciate Jack, he is so reverent in class."
I am stunned.
I am pleased.
I thank her for her efforts in putting up with a bunch of five year old kids and we head to the car. I tell Jack I'm proud of him for being reverent and that Sister Bliss was grateful that he was reverent. I then ask him, "Jack, do you know what it means to be reverent?"
He ponders for just a second then says, "It means no tooting in primary."
Yes, knowing my son, that's EXACTLY what being reverent means.
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