So, on occasion, due to Peter's schedule, I bring the kids to church alone....and I am finding myself lately, questioning if this is really worth all the hassle. I know that it is a good example to make sure that we are there every week worshipping, praying, learning, etc. However, I find myself totally and completely distracted during worship and for most of the sermon. During worship in our church, the children stay in...they are dismissed after tithe until the sermon/church are over. thus, I spend time just sort of singing along while I make sure that Ray isn't trying to run in circles around the sanctuary or shout, or who knows what else. I also spend the time praying John will not need to nurse. Then during tithe and prayer I hope that Ray will be quiet (not a natural state for him) and again that John will not need to nurse yet. Then I take the kids to nursery and spend time during the sermon hoping that John will not need to nurse or need mommy for some other reason. So, I ask myself, is church alone really worth it?
Other random stuff:
I am getting a little better at dividing my time between children....as in I adjust Ray's schedule to fit John's so that no one is screaming...hopefully anyway :)
I asked the lactation consultant at Lourdes today a question about John sleeping through the night and my pain...and although she helped, she seemed in disbelief that this trend would continue or that he only woke up once in the 1st place. ;)
I need to work on self-control - in many areas
Guess that's it for now....gotta get Ray bathed before John wakes up....it is bad enough that he ate a granola bar for dinner because I was checking in on a friend going through a rough time and didn't get his dinner ready fast enough. LOL
3 comments:
I think taking the kids to church alone is worth it, even though I know it can be a huge hassle. For one thing, it is good for your kids to know that Sunday morning is church. It establishes that routine for them, which I think is important as they grow. It also gives you the opportunity to teach them how to behave (and to learn yourself how to respond when they don't) in less-then-ideal circumstances. I tend to think that the routine will help them learn this faster than if they are missing it occasionally. Plus, I believe God blesses us when we make Him a priority...even if it is in the midst of dealing with children and distractions. Obviously, though, I would say that there can be extenuating circumstance (illness, total exhaustion) that would warrant staying home, but I think that it is a good goal to try to be there every Sunday. Just my 2 cents :).
Ah yes, Sundays alone. I'm in the same boat as you and I'll admit, Sundays are VERY hard. I have to be there at 8:30 for worship practice and then play during the service so believe me, I GET IT! Despite the struggle, I definitely think it's worth it to teach our kids to "keep the Sabbath holy." They need to see us being faithful now, even when it's a huge challenge. It can only get easier as they grow, right??
Ya know, there are plenty of people at church that would be more than willing to help you out by holding John or whatever. I know it's hard to ask but remember, we're a FAMILY!!
Love your realness about this. I know you are struggling and I know the feeling of the constant multi tasking of having our kids so young and church. I feel like the entire time my kids are in there I am feeding one, telling one to stop playing, telling one to leave the other alone, telling one to stand up, telling one to close there eyes, telling one to stop biting their little brother...I mean it really is an exhausting experience but well worth it. I love how real you are being Dawn!
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