Read Online My Name Is River by Wendy Dunham - Free Book Online Page A

velvety cushions on them. But they’re not very thick, so you actually sink down to the wood. When I sneak a peek at Gram, she’s grinning ear to ear, looking more comfortable than ever (I guess having a big bottom like Paddles can come in handy).
    Once everybody finds a spot to sit, Pastor Henry says a prayer. “This morning, Lord, we want everything to be for you. Let our thoughts, our songs, our church, and our community be all for you. Bless our time together with your holy presence. Amen.” Then he asks everyone to stand and turn to page one hundred thirty seven in our hymnal (I figure that’s the blue book hanging on the back of the bench in front of me because everyone else is reaching for their blue book too).
    The piano lady begins a song called “It Is Well with My Soul.” Everyone joins in, even Gram. I just listen because I’ve never heard this song on the radio before, and I can’t read music any more than I can read chicken scratch.
    Then out of the blue, I start thinking about Gram’s physical therapist, so I cross my fingers and make a wish that she doesn’t start to relevé right in the middle of church while everyone’s singingabout their wellness and their soul. But I must have crossed them too late, because by the second verse she’s up on her toes. “Really, Gram?” I whisper (probably a little too loud for being in church).
    Then Gram whispers back (even louder), “Don’t you worry, Sugar Pie. Nobody’s gonna notice.” So I try not to and close my eyes to concentrate on the words while everyone sings them. I try to figure out what they mean. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well, with my soul.’ ” Then I’m not exactly sure when it happened, but the song ended.
    Pastor Henry begins his lecture. “This morning I want to share some key points from the book of Matthew, where Jesus talks to us about worrying. He tells us not to worry about our life. Wow! Isn’t that a challenge? He tells us not to worry about the food we’ll eat, what we’ll drink, or the clothes we’ll wear. He tells us to consider the birds, to think about how they live. They don’t bother storing food for themselves because they know our heavenly Father feeds them. God provides them with food and shelter. God created birds. And he takes care of them. And since we are worth more than birds, we can be sure our heavenly Father will take care of us. Jesus also makes it clear that we cannot add a single moment to our lives by worrying, so there is no sense in fretting. Therefore,” Pastor Henry tells everyone, “don’t worry! Our heavenly Father knows everything we need.”
    It sounds like Pastor Henry must like birds as much as Billy. And after hearing what Pastor Henry just read, it sounds like God probably likes birds too (he must since he goes around feeding them). And about the worrying thing, maybe I didn’t need to worry about Billy falling over the edge and into the river because it sounds like no one can make anyone’s life longer by worrying. Not even by a moment. I had no idea going to church could make you think so much.
    When church is over, Pastor Henry stands at the door andsays goodbye to every single person and shakes their hand. He even knows everyone’s name. While he’s busy saying goodbye, Gram and I help Mrs. Whippoorwill and Billy clean up. We vacuum donut crumbs, wipe coffee spills, push in chairs, and then straighten all the blue songbooks (which takes quite a while because Billy says they have to be perfectly straight).

    As soon as Pastor Henry brings me and Gram home, we get right to work on our chores. They actually haven’t changed much from the ones we did back in Punxsutawney, except that I don’t have to sweep down thirteen stairs anymore.