Parenting in the Pew, take 2

Having our children sitting alongside of us in a worship service...  There are sweet moments:  You look down to see/hear your child singly softly or belting out the words during congregational singing!  The offering is being taken and your child is eager to give allowance money.  Another adult is blessed by the friendly greeting your child gives.  There are good moments.  But there is plenty of patience-testing, too!  (Can I get an "Amen!"?)

 The distractions, the struggle, the humbling.  Oh the humbling.  Has your child ever been:

1. The loud, distracting one,
2. The funny-looking, rumply, mismatched one, 
3. The nose-picker, 
4. The artist who can turn a pen into the loudest instrument during the quiet moment,
5. Ditto with the gum-chomper,
6. The petter - you know, your child suddenly wants to pet you like a puppy in all the awkward places?
7. The turn-around-and-stare-you-down one?

I can get frustrated when my expectations are not met with my children's behavior in church.  Why?  Is my pure-heart desire that my children  drink in the goodness of God at a tender age?  Sometimes.  More often, though, I confess that what I see in myself are selfish desires.   I wonder if you have ever thought this during church:  "Don't distract me."  "Don't embarrass me!"  "Don't hit your brother."  (Wait, that last one is uttered out loud!)  And, "Can't I have just a few moments when you don't need me!?" 

Desiring to fully participate in worship is a good thing!  It is normal that we struggle  as we "parent in the pew."  (In fact, if the struggle has ended, your kids are likely either  grown or you are not working on training them, or you have a perfectly compliant child.  Congratulations!)   Yet- such a powerful, little conjunction- yet even though I feel like I really need a break during church, if my church has children stay with parents for all or some of the service, there is a lesson for me to learn.  Here's the good lesson, albeit tough:  God has granted the opportunity for me to worship with my kids.  That means it is for my good, and for my kids' good.  This means it is for the entire congregation's good.   It's all good!  This part of the parenting struggle is God teaching me just as I am teaching my child. 
Note to worshipers sitting nearby families with young children:  This is God teaching you, too, through the distractions, through the blessing of watching younger parents in action!  I wonder what new friendship could be formed through a timely word of encouragement or by sharing your own funny, "parenting in the pew" story?

Last week I mentioned bringing practical tips.  Next time.  For now, we'll let the foundation set before we start building!

Onward.