Raising Christians

In some feedback from a judge in one of the contests my book was entered in, it was said, "and her characters go to church A LOT." Well, yeah. I do that in real life, too. I was raised that every time the doors were opened, for Bible study, worship, or some other event, we were there. Now that we're raising our own family, we're continuing on in that tradition. Honestly, I can't imagine my life without it. Having that extra support and time to study and worship helps me through every week. My children love Bible class, and adore getting to see their friends, or talk to the preacher. Our goal as parents is to raise Christians, first and foremost. What they want to do in regards to jobs or school, we're not as worried about.
That being said, I can't remember the last time I actually got to listen to a whole sermon. Maybe one time last fall when both kids came down sick and my husband and I took turns going to morning or evening services while the other stayed home? It doesn't happen often. Usually, I am trying to get someone to sit still, or stop talking (or singing the ABC's), or making flirty faces at the ladies two rows back, or picking up the crayons that got scattered all over the floor ... again. You get the idea. It can get very frustrating. If you're feeling that way, keep reading (or check out this other really great blog I've read several times now that has helped me on rough days).
Today, as soon as the men started passing the plates of communion bread, my son (not quite two), reached down in his bag and pulled out the coin purse with his coin for contribution. "Coin." He plopped the purse in my husband's lap and said, "Open it." He gets so excited about that small part of worship he can participate in each week, and that is encouraging. We always sing a verse or two between the communion part and the contribution. When we sing, "This is the Day," my three-year-old joins in now, because she knows the words. Last week, when we had a singing night, she joined in on several songs. At home, my son will find one of our song books, pick it up, say, "Bible book," open it and start singing "Holy, holy." These precious moments aren't much when you compare them to the frustration they give us during worship services, but they prove that they are learning, and that we're doing the right thing by continuing to keep them next to us on the pew so that they can continue picking up little pieces. One day, they'll sit still(ish), and they'll be able to listen and participate in all the parts of worship. Until then, we'll just keep celebrating the ones they've learned thus far.
What about you? Got any funny wiggle stories to share? Any learning moments to celebrate with us?

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