From the Preacher’s Pen…
It is always interesting and instructive to observe our sister congregations in this world. It is especially so as we see the issues that they and their preachers and elders deal with.
Recently the young preacher at Deming, New Mexico, shared some thoughts on a subject I often comment on because of God’s emphasis on the importance of our children. So let’s consider…
Children in Church
To You Who Bring Small Children to Church:
There you are sitting in worship or Bible study. Your child, or toddler, is restless. Perhaps they’re even a little boisterous. You try to silence them, and nothing. You try to pacify them with food or toys, and nothing. Eventually, you resort to the last thing you wanted to do: you pick them up, and before a watching audience, you make the march out of the auditorium. All the while, you’re a little embarrassed. Maybe you’re a little frustrated too. You might even think to yourself, “There’s no point in coming to church. I get nothing out of it because I have to constantly care for my kid.”
I want you – you mothers and/or fathers – to know just how encouraging you are to so many. The little elderly woman who often feels alone beams with a smile at the sight of you wrestling with your little one. She’s been there before. She knows how hard it can be, but she smiles because to hear that brings back precious memories. To see young parents and their small children brighten her day, and she may have just received bad news this week about her health, but seeing the vitality of young ones removes – if but for a moment – her fears.
The older man who always seems to be grouchy notices you too. He’s always talking about how children in this day have no respect or sense of good. But, he sees you – a young family – in church, and you don’t miss any gathering. Like clockwork, he can depend on the sight of you and your young family. You give him hope that maybe the church isn’t doomed after all because there are still young parents who love God enough to bring their restless children to worship.
Bring your children to church. If we don’t hear crying, the church is dying. As hard as it might be for you as a parent who is half-asleep, keep on doing what you’re doing. You are an encouragement, and you are starting off your children’s lives as you should.
— (Author Unknown) via 9th Street church of Christ, Deming, NM
Two of the most precious resources, in God’s eyes, are our children and Godly parents. They deserve our encouragement and help in every way possible!
PARENTS: never grow weary in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Never! While it seems you often miss so much of what’s being said and it can be incredibly hard to focus, you are teaching and training for eternity.
YOUNG CHILDREN: you are never too young to start listening and participating in worship. If you can read you can turn to every scripture and follow along. Whether you can read or not you can always sing! And, since our public prayers are about participation for us all, you can thank God for your blessings and ask Him for your concerns. The secret to worship for us all, young or old, is DOING and not just sitting there like a bump on a log.
We possess a great gift and treasure in our children. Let’s work hard at both appreciating them and teaching them!
— Lester P. Bagley
