The child in the pulpit
the little girl
waving her hands
giving shouts of pretend
exhortation

what she saw was normal
the only element of imagination
need come
from whatever text she
pretends to voice

she is a girl
but she knows now
she can do it
she can preach
she sees normalcy

in taking ones gifts
and running with them
unhindered
called by God
accepted by the people.

Aurelia Pratt serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Grace Baptist Church in Round Rock, TX. She is a founding member who also regularly participates in the preaching rotation. Aurelia has a Master of Divinity degree from Truett Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Baylor.