I can't and won't give up. No matter how much I want too or how little I think I'm doing, I won't give up. Church has been a struggle. I have an active 3 year old, a small baby, and a hubby who is way up front. I have a 3 year old who wants nothing more than to "preach" like daddy but can't during worship. We fight, we struggle. I feel as if every parenting move is being judged by those around me who are annoyed by the loud toddler or constant up and down. We try! We sit, we fight and then we leave. We sit in the chair in daddy's office hoping the toddler will get bored of no toys and go back up to worship where he at least has his trains. But no! We fight more and finally leave until it's time for communion.
I no longer hear the sermon, sing a hymn, or even read the announcements. I do get communion and sometimes I get to put our offering in when the plate is passed instead of after worship. It's no longer about me, not that it ever was! Now, it's about teaching my son that we go to worship. We go! Period. It is important to our family. The struggles will soon be over and he will be whispering in the back with his confirmation friends, but for now we simply just go. We don't go to experience all worship has to offer, we just go. We go simply to show that it is important and special. We go to show that this is what our family is about. We go because I don't know how not to go!
That is the important fact, that you go. Church is so hard with a toddler! I struggle with mine every Sunday, but the important thing is that we go. Keep on going!
ReplyDeleteOh it's hard with the little ones at church. We are training our very active 7 year old son how to sit still in our House of Prayer during worship. Our sets are two hours, but when I take him it's usually 30-60 mins. and then I leave. One day he will settle down and get the hang of it. Just keep doing what you are doing. He will get it!
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