Jake was quietly coloring and working in his activity book during the church service recently. This was quite an accomplishment as this child has been hauled out kicking and screaming and causing a general ruckus on more than one occasion. El Hubbo and I were enjoying not having to issue whispered threats to the child.
The sermon was moving along nicely, and the preacher was discussing how children question everything. He mentioned we are often tempted to reply to questions of "why?" with "Because I told you so." My darling eldest child looked up from his book, pointed at his father and I, and said (too loudly in my opinion), "Y'all do that." You gotta love being called out by your six year old at church.
Like any parent who may or may not be guilty of the accusation, we said, "hush!"
Jake returned to working in his book. The preacher then began to talk about how our actions and choices can show what we care most about. He used the example of a father who spent all his time on the cellphone instead of paying attention to his child. Jake leaned up and looked around me at his father. His father gave him a stern look. Jake's comment? "What? That's what you do!" I couldn't help starting to laugh. El Hubbo poked me in the ribs.
The preacher then used the example of the child having a birthday party someplace that the grandparent didn't like. So, the grandparent decides to stay home and not go. What kind of a message does this send to the child? I should have been better prepared for Jake by now, but I wasn't. The kid looks up, then looks at me and says, "See! We HAVE to have my birthday at Chuck E Cheese. You heard him! It's whatever the kid wants!!!" This was said very loudly. I'm sure all the people around us got quite a kick out of watching me try to wrestle the kid down between the pews with my hand over his mouth. I kept telling him to be quiet, to no avail. "And you have to come even if you don't like Chuck E Cheese! You heard him, mama! What? That's what he said!!!"
Since I figured the Lord would frown upon my strangling the child right then and there, more threats were "whispered" to the child. El Hubbo and I gave each other an exasperated look, and I swore I heard someone snickering in the pews behind us. Glad we could enhance the morning sermon experience for everyone there.
The sermon was moving along nicely, and the preacher was discussing how children question everything. He mentioned we are often tempted to reply to questions of "why?" with "Because I told you so." My darling eldest child looked up from his book, pointed at his father and I, and said (too loudly in my opinion), "Y'all do that." You gotta love being called out by your six year old at church.
Like any parent who may or may not be guilty of the accusation, we said, "hush!"
Jake returned to working in his book. The preacher then began to talk about how our actions and choices can show what we care most about. He used the example of a father who spent all his time on the cellphone instead of paying attention to his child. Jake leaned up and looked around me at his father. His father gave him a stern look. Jake's comment? "What? That's what you do!" I couldn't help starting to laugh. El Hubbo poked me in the ribs.
The preacher then used the example of the child having a birthday party someplace that the grandparent didn't like. So, the grandparent decides to stay home and not go. What kind of a message does this send to the child? I should have been better prepared for Jake by now, but I wasn't. The kid looks up, then looks at me and says, "See! We HAVE to have my birthday at Chuck E Cheese. You heard him! It's whatever the kid wants!!!" This was said very loudly. I'm sure all the people around us got quite a kick out of watching me try to wrestle the kid down between the pews with my hand over his mouth. I kept telling him to be quiet, to no avail. "And you have to come even if you don't like Chuck E Cheese! You heard him, mama! What? That's what he said!!!"
Since I figured the Lord would frown upon my strangling the child right then and there, more threats were "whispered" to the child. El Hubbo and I gave each other an exasperated look, and I swore I heard someone snickering in the pews behind us. Glad we could enhance the morning sermon experience for everyone there.
The snickering came from us....still laughing! Honestly, we couldn't hear what he was saying, but concluded that it was colorful from your expressions! Ha!
ReplyDeleteLisa E
Preachers try to help every chance we get to help children make better moms and dads -- you have to love that boy -- David
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