I had a hard time getting the girls up and out of the house for Sunday school last week. My husband was at hunting camp, so it was up to me to get both girls bathed, fed, dressed and to Sunday school by 9 a.m.
As usually happens in high-pressure, gotta-go, situations with the girls in the early morning, there were a few meltdowns, lots of whining and a couple of sister fights. All this was topped off with my yelling, "C'MON, I've had ENOUGH. Brush your teeth (put on your shoes, get in the car, etc. etc. etc.)."
Whenever I get mad at the girls and raise my voice or talk through clenched teeth, they try to make me feel bad by saying things like, "You hate me." I always respond, "Nope, I love YOU, I hate the way you're acting right now" (or something similar).
So, lo and behold, the children's sermon last Sunday is about how God loves his children even when they do bad things or are ungrateful (based on Luke 17:11-17).
Pastor starts out by saying to the kids, "Does your mom or dad ever get mad at you?"
If I could've crawled under the pew right then and there, I would have. I sat there...holding my breath thinking...oh, God, no...
But, to my utter surprise my normally talkative daughters didn't pipe up and tell the entire congregation about their mean, mean mommy who had yelled at them just that morning. One of the older kids nodded and that was good enough for pastor to continue with his sermon (pheww...dodged that bullet).
Pastor went on explaining to the kids how God's love is like our parent's love...that even though you might do something bad or act in a way that makes our parents mad, they will always, always love us.
He said "So, even though your mom or dad get mad at you, they still love you, right?"
That's when my girls piped up. Both of them nodded enthusiastically and shouted out "YES!" (So, apparently my message IS getting through to them.)
It's funny... now that my kids are at the tell-all stage, I find I do the most praying in church during the children's sermon when they have a captivate audience and center stage.
Comments (2)
Yep, I remember those parking lot miracles, as we were driving to church yelling at each other and then in the parking lot, all becomes sweetness and love. I don't think we were the only ones and sometimes my husband and I still do this just for old times sake. Your doing the right things, it just doesn't seem like it at the time. Keep up the good work, they ARE learning!! And don't forget the best revenge, they too will be parents some day.
Posted by Patti Myers | October 20, 2007 2:01 PM
Posted on October 20, 2007 14:01
I know this post is on a rather old blog, but I thought I'd comment!! Your girls are quite entertaining during church... and even more so during Sunday school! If only you were around to see me in my "children's sermon days" *sigh* those were the good old days. Maybe it's good that you didn't see any of that! ;-)Rest assured that you've been teaching them well, and even tho they may show "sisterly love" during the Christmas program... and in the pews... unless you're in the choir, ya don't really notice!
Posted by Michelle | January 7, 2008 5:41 PM
Posted on January 7, 2008 17:41