 |
| This was from VBS this summer |
Today I am starting a week-long series on the things I love. Not
just my family and friends but something that strikes me that particular day. I
got this idea yesterday as I was sitting in church, listening to the pastoral
prayer about love but I didn't just hear his words. I heard a baby cooing, two
little ones giggling at each other, and I heard mine saying Momma will you hold
me.
What I heard in addition to his prayer may have been more
powerful, and made me realize how much I love to hear children in church. I
love the sound of a baby cooing, kids giggling, toddler’s whining, mommas
quieting, all in the house of the Lord. To me it is the sound of a club, a club
of parents who despite all else managed to get up on a weekend morning and get
themselves and their children dress and to church. A club of parents who are
ready for “battle”, any parent who tells you their child sits quietly through
church every time they attend are LYING! Yes some Sunday’s are better than
others but we all have had those moments when all we want to do is crawl under
the pew, cry and sleep in the following Sunday.
When Charlot was about a year and a half or so we had a particularly
bad Sunday at church, I was probably up and out of the sanctuary four or five
times, a battle for sure. Shortly after that Sunday our church newsletter came
out and in the newsletter was a small little section about children in church.
Something about that all members of the church wanted to enjoy the service and
if you felt that your child was being distracting there was a cry room and
nursery available. I can’t remember what
exactly it said but trust me I was so embarrassed when I read it. Then I became
a little hurt and angry, at that point in time Charlot was about the only child
attending church. I just kept thinking don’t they see I am trying to do what I believe
is right and raise her in a church. That was it, I was doing what the hubs and I
thought best, I couldn’t let the opinions of other deter how we were raising
our little one. Sunday after Sunday we would keep bringing her and we would
make as many trips as it took to the back of the church. Sunday after Sunday
she was there feeling the love of the Lord and that is all that really mattered.
Hearing that sound Sunday after Sunday, tells me that we don’t
just give up that parents continue to bring their kids and that gives me hope
for all of us. Hope that children are still being raised to have a relationship
with Christ, and to know the safe comforting feeling of having a church family.
So for me hearing those sounds in church means that the church isn't dying, it will
still be here next Sunday, next year and for the next generation of parents in
battle.
Since the above story our church has been bless with an
amazing new pastor who is so warm and welcoming to young and old alike. And the
sound of children can be heard and welcomed each and every Sunday.
I LOVE THE SOUND OF CHILDREN IN CHURCH…
No comments:
Post a Comment