I knew we were in for a bad Sunday when we sang Christ is Our Cornerstone. In the third verse, we sing, “Oh, then, with hymns of praise These hallowed courts shall ring.” My child screeched. The timing of the screech was hysterical. My husband and I started laughing. I was literally crying from simultaneously laughing and trying not to laugh. My husband or I would look at the other and giggle again. I enjoyed those few moments knowing church wasn’t going to go well for the rest of the service.
The Screecher Creature continued throughout the service. Unfortunately, the screeches were not as well timed as the first. Either my husband or I spent most of church in the cry room or at the table in the back hallway. Our other child was everywhere in the pew and demanding the water bottle we forgot at home. The kids mad a huge mess and we had to ask the older child to help clean before Communion so others in our pew wouldn’t slip on paper, trip over the diaper bag, or squish the Flounder bath toy. We weren’t as worried about the off brand Teddy Grahams considering we already turned to dust and would need to get the dust buster after the service.
After church, I made a comment to another mom about enjoying seeing her and her child at the service. The mom made a comment about her kid not having a good day at church. I was shocked. Every time I looked at any other kid in church, I was jealous because they were all so well behaved!
This could easily be an article about the joys of having children in church. Instead, I want to remind others it is hard. It is hard going to church for about an hour and trying to keep the kids quiet, contain the mess, attempt to teach them something about the service or Jesus, and maybe hear God’s Word. It’s hard to get kids to stand up or fold their hands at appropriate times and not have them outburst. It’s hard going to church knowing this is mostly for the kids at this season in life. It’s hard not knowing what the end result of countless hours in the pews, thousands of whispers or “shushes,” fourteen broken crayons and eight thousand colored papers will be. We can only pray, trust them in God’s hands, and trust God will work through His Word as he promises to do in places like Isaiah 55:10-11.
I was feeling like Jesus was speaking to me in Matthew 23:27-28, “‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Even though we were at church on Sunday and in theory heard God’s Word and participated in Holy Communion, I felt hypocritical, defeated, and empty after the service. We may have been at the church service, but did we get anything out of it?
For me, on Sundays where it feels like we “just survived” church, it can be hard having the peppy Jesus feeling or whatever people are calling it these days. Thankfully, faith doesn’t depend on how I’m feeling. If it did, I’d be in trouble. My feelings are fickle. Thankfully, my faith, my husband’s faith, and my children’s faith depends upon God. I am a sinner. God is the one who came down in human flesh to suffer and die for my sins. God is the one who restored our relationship. God is the one who continues to sustain my relationship. God is the one who is always faithful to me despite my feelings. God is the one who works through His Word and Sacraments no matter what crumbs I’m able to get from week to week. God sustained the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, providing all they needed. God continues to sustain both my body and soul through His divine providence.
It is hard being in church with little kids. It is hard being in church when someone is having a down day or physical ailment. I thank God for all the faithful believers at Concordia who support my families and others just by simply being present and trusting God fulfils his promises. Thanks for teaching my children the importance of faith in their Savior Jesus. Thanks for loving us through the hard Sundays. Thanks for showing the faith God works in you through His Word and Sacraments.