For every tradition.

For every generation.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE HYMNAL

From classic anthems to beloved gospel standards, and from the core “must-have” hymns for an array of Christian traditions to new worship favorites particularly suited to congregational singing, it offers the best of the best—at an unbeatable value! The first major hymnal of the 21^st century includes:

• Over 635 timeless hymns from throughout the years and across the denominational spectrum

• Seven helpful indexes including a comprehensive topical index

• The most extensive special service and seasonal selection available

• High-quality smythe-sewn bindings ensure decades of use by congregations, small groups, and individuals

$9.95 retail
ISBN 1-56563-955-3 • Royal Blue
ISBN 1-56563-998-7 • Red
ISBN 1-56563-999-5 • Forest Green
ISBN 1-56563-952-9 • Burgundy

ACCOMPANIST EDITION

With binder, 11 x 11 ¹⁄ 2 x 2 ³⁄ 4 inches $49.95 retail

ISBN 1-59856-055-7

Pages only, 8 ¹⁄ 2 x 11 inches $39.95 retail

ISBN 1-59856-067-0

Available May 2006

Call for quantity discounts Toll-free: 800-358-3111 Outside the U.S.: 978-532-6546 • Fax: 978-531-8146

E-mail: orders@hendrickson.com Web site: www.hendrickson.com www.christianlifehymnal.com

{Editorial}

Just Rolling Along

MY 7-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, KARISSA, GREETED ME AT THE front door at the end of the day, waving a bright blue flier.

“Mom, I want to go to Skate City next Wednesday! Please, can I go?” Now, Karissa had never skated before. Worse, I hadn’t been on a pair

of skates in years. I knew if I let her go skating, I’d have to be right beside her. “We’ll see,” I told her.

To a second-grader, those are the worst two words a parent can utter. Her face fell as she clutched the wrinkled flier at her side.

I held out my hand, and she passed over the flier: “School Skate Party, Wednesday, February 1st, 6-8 p.m.” I glanced at Karissa, her eyes downcast, the excitement of a few minutes before gone.

“OK,” I said. “You can go, but I’m coming with you.”

As she celebrated, I figured out the last year I’d skated was 1981— 25 years ago!

At last, skate night arrived. When I got home from work, Karissa was ready to roll—literally. I changed into some jeans, kissed my husband and son good-bye, said a silent prayer, and loaded Karissa into the car.

Once there, Karissa and I laced on our skates—much heavier than I recalled. “Let’s practice on the carpet,” I suggested.

“No!” Karissa announced boldly. “I’m going out there with my friends.” She made a beeline for the rink—and slipped, landing with a thud.

I picked up my heavy skate-laden feet, but it was too late.

She picked herself up and eagerly walked onto the rink, clutching the rail with both hands. I followed. I gingerly lifted my skates, glided a bit, felt like I was going to fall forward, then grabbed onto the side rail with my right hand, reaching out my left to Karissa.

“Here, honey. Take my hand, and we can skate together,” I offered.

Karissa dutifully held on for about two minutes, then shouted: “There’s Mikayla! I’m going to skate with her.”

Karissa’s classmate Mikayla skated up to her, and the two little girls headed off around the rink, hand in hand, slow but determined.

I began to feel a bit unnecessary, so I figured, what the heck. If I fall, I fall. I made my way onto the rink again and started to skate, slowly at first, then faster.

As I skated, I kept one eye on Karissa. She slipped, but never fell hard. Once, Mikayla let go, and Karissa was on her own. She fell on her knees, and I skated to her and helped her up. Half an hour later, I was on the other side of the rink and saw Karissa take a particularly hard fall, landing flat on her back, hitting her head on the rink floor. I rushed to her, gently picked her up, and rubbed the back of her head.

“Are you OK?” I asked anxiously.

“I’m OK,” Karissa said quietly.

Soon, eight o’clock came, and the skate party was over. We changed back into our tennis shoes, turned in the skates, and headed for the car.

On the way home, Karissa chatted happily. Then she was quiet.

“Thanks, Mom, for picking me up when I fell,” she said.

“I wasn’t going to let you get hurt,” I told her. “Even though you didn’t see me and thought you were alone, I was always watching you.”

I wondered, as we drove on in silence, how many times God had picked me up when I thought I was alone, fallen flat on my back.

As you zip around this rink called Christian retail, you may slip, fall, and take the occasional bump on the head, but our heavenly Father will lift you up, set you on your feet, and give you a gentle push down the rink again. You can help keep the slipping to a minimum by remaining persistent, focused, unafraid, and willing to grab on to that outstretched hand when necessary. Roll on! AR

Kathleen Samuelson

CBA publications manager

6 | AspiringRetail | April2006

The Official Magazine of CBA