Antics

There are times in parenting, when you must stifle the laughter that is threatening to erupt for the sake of teaching a valuable lesson. And times when you just don't know what to do, you're SO frustrated, but you know in your heart it really is RATHER funny-if you weren't in the very moment of it. In my opinion, it is times like those, that need to be recorded all the more. So that, one day, you can look back without sacrificing anything and REALLY bust a gut. I have an example of each to share...from this past week.

The first is a story about Corynn and represents the first category. It is too funny NOT to remember.

It was the Lord's day last and the evening service. I suppose, now would be a good time, to explain a few things.

First of all, we keep both our children in service with us.
Secondly, we don't allow our children to play with toys and recently have stopped given writing stuff to Corynn to use with good results!

I am especially proud and happy with our children, being so young and yet so capable of sitting still and quiet-and, in the case of Corynn, taking things 'home' about the sermon. It is good. But you can't help what OTHERS do.

All the children in our church (even 10 year olds in some cases...) are allowed to draw and color in service. Some bringing COLORING books and such.

(Now-I should ALSO mention, that I am NOT going to make a soapbox about this subject. I HAD allowed Corynn to draw with a pen on a bulletin up until about a month or so ago and then, PERSONALLY, made the decision that we should try and have her concentrate on learning from the Pastor. I did a trial run and she recalled things from the sermon that I NEVER thought she would have-and from that point several weeks ago, I was encouraged to continue to train her that way. That is ME. Matt and I have different views about children than most anyway. But, I will say that when you are 10 years old, you had better be able to listen to a sermon without distractions and doodling for an hour. After all, I don't know many 10 year olds who can't sit through a two hour movie and relate even the smallest details... but I digress. There. That's said.)

BACK to the story (if you are still with me....)

We try and position ourselves away from the children who get up during services (another thing we don't allow-and another comparison can be made with watching a movie), or turn around and gawk (a pet-peeve of mine) and such...but it is IMPOSSIBLE to find a seat that doesn't have children drawing, as stated above.

So-Corynn has a FABULOUS time sneaking peeks at others' artwork, doodles, drawing and such and that just can't be stopped. Unless, of course, I were to staple her eyes closed during worship. That might work.

All of this is a preclude to the story-Kudos to you all who are still reading.

So again.

It was the Lord's day last and the evening service. Corynn was sitting on the aisle seat , halfway back and the Pastor was thick in the middle of his sermon. Matt and I were both interested in the sermon and were concentrating on that (I can't tell you what that topic is now-my mind went blank just moments later, as you will find out.) when out of the corner of my eye, I see some little girl, casually walking up to the front of the church.

"WHO in the WORLD would let there child just WALK ABOUT?!?!? This is RIDICULOUS!" I thought to myself. Then, I recognized the flaxen hair as my own little vixen. I was stunned. I grabbed Matt's hand-and it was stiff as a board...which means, He saw it too. Neither of us knew what to do...so we sat there, frozen. Stunned. Should we call out for her (no-it was the middle of service.) I didn't know WHAT she was doing.

Then, she reached the very first row...bent down and picked up a colored pencil that had just moments before dropped. With arms outstretched and a HUGE smile on her face, she proudly handed the pencil to the girl and marched back to her seat. She was so proud that she had helped someone in need.

The Pastor almost lost it in the pulpit. A small ripple of laughter waved through the rows and I HAD to turn my face to the wall-because I COULDN'T hold it in.

Of course, we had a very serious chat about it after service-but to this very day, I can not think about it without giggling outloud.

My grown Corynn: if you are reading these messages of days long ago...I must tell you this.

When you become a parent someday and live through experiences like this, you will understand just as I do-how wonderfully sweet it is to have a girl like you. You have given your Mama so much laughter through the years-even if it was hidden for your own good. You are my joy. And your spirit is such a treasure.