Little Eyes, Little Ears

Expectation....

Ah...church!  Fellowship! Time to come together with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to worship Him and learn more about His Word!  My dear husband on the isle seat, toddler son between us sitting ever so sweetly, coloring quietly. Our amazing, newly-a- teen daughter following along in her Bible, taking notes like a pro.  Me sitting in their midst, mind totally focused on being edified by the sermon...perfectly in the moment.  

Reality....

{Before} Church!  Ok! We can do this!  Ready? Go!

{During}  Amazing daughter sitting with Nana , two isles away; dear husband sitting alone.  Myself and toddler son? Oh, we are in the furthest room from any other human contact so as not to disturb their worship.  In a room with no toys, so as not to give the impression it's ok to act up in church.  A room where I can almost hear the lesson and the singing if Toddler Boy is not loudly trying to convince me he WILL behave if I take him back in to the auditorium.  Standoffs ensue; me on one bench, TB on the other in an attempt to make him "SIT, BE STILL and BE QUIET."  ( It can be done!  I've seen it happen!)

{After} In the car, family united, I am wondering if any good came out of going to church today!  ( I know how that sounds, believe me, I feel really bad about it!)

I know we will have it together one day! I know that before I know it,Toddler Son will be older and better behaved in church. I know it is just the season of life that we are in but I get discouraged because my reality doesn't meet my expectations. Is my reality most Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights perfect? Far from it. Is it a lost cause to even try to attend church at this stage?   Absolutely not!
Reading Proverbs 4 today, the first verse that stood out to me was...
When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭3-4‬ NKJV)
God in his infinite wisdom knows my heart and knows Sunday mornings are a trial for me! This was my gentle reminder for today from Gods Word. As in the verse above, He is also teaching my children. My DH and I have our part to do, but He is in control!
When I skipped church a few months ago because I was just too tired of fighting with Toddler Son, God worked on my heart! I heard TS talking ( he had been playing with trucks), I looked up and that sweet boy was standing with his back to the TV, holding a book like a song leader, bowed his head, babbled a "prayer" then started belting out a "song" to the top of his lungs. The only word I could decipher of his baby talk was "Jesus ". It made me tear up! Ok Lord, I hear you.
Just this Sunday, when we once again did not make it through the sermon without having to step outside to "have a talk", I was once again thinking, "Man! One step forward FIVE steps back!" Then Wednesday night after VBS, he is belting out new songs all the way home. This kid is getting it! Little ears hear. Little eyes see. God teaches.
My Awesome Daughter's spiritual life is always on my heart as well. She is so quiet that I sometimes feel she isn't getting it. That we must not be doing enough with her teaching, not talking about Him enough. Then, you guessed it, God teaches ME! We just recently started studying Proverbs together. Using the SOAK method, we had a great discussion about a scripture she picked out and how it applied to her life! Maybe not a huge thing in your family, but for me and my Daddy's Girl, God showed me that she is getting it!
He has constantly been teaching me not to lean upon my own understanding;
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ NKJV)
Learning is an ongoing process. I'm not done, you are not done, our kids are definitely not done. In a world where it seems the devil is attacking and using our youth more and more, there is no better gift we can give than a good foundation in Christ. Even when, at times, it seems like there is no way anyone got anything out of a church service, we are laying foundations. One day our reality will live up to our perfect expectations! We are told...
But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NKJV)
Until that perfect day, keep on learning, keep on teaching His Word, keep on purposely looking for Him in your everyday, you will find Him. HE wants you to!

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