Church- the 70 minute wrestling battle
Someone posted this on our ward Facebook page and I LOVED it.
How to make it through Sacrament Meeting
If you're unfamiliar with Sacrament Meeting it is the main worship meeting of the LDS church. It is usually the first meeting of the three hour block, it is the time for members to take the Sacrament and the time when the "sermon" is offered. It is also the time when the entire family sits together. I laughed when I typed sits, it's just too hilarious to think there are people that sit during that meeting.
We are in the phase of life when Sacrament meeting... isn't a super spiritual experience.Actually sunday is my least favorite day of the week. You have church which is a wrestling match and for some reason you dress kids up in nice clothes to do that, and they hate them. We've gone with the most casual of nice clothes, but every week it's a battle. But that isnt the purpose of the post, so back to the subject. If you haven't experienced this or haven't in awhile let me explain. Sacrament meeting is supposed to be a quiet time... Zachary... disagrees. This last week after attempting to escape under the pews (he's been successful) Zach got upset and Brian took him out while Zach SCREAMED "NO BE REVERENT". I saw the Bishop chuckle, maybe he didn't hear him, but it was just too well timed So there's the ripping Zach from the room, and the trying to control him when he's in there... haha. When he gets bored he slaps his brother in the face, throws crayons, spits food. He's a different child at church. And he really likes nursery so every time they pray (which is more than once) he waits until "Amen" and then screams "Church CLASS!!!!". Yep... it's great. Between wrestling him, finding the things he chucked, trying to keep his mouth full so it's quiet and reading to him... well it's not a spiritual time. Then there's Mikey who's bored and hungry, but trying. Yep... it's a good time. Anyway we often to turn to each other and say "did you hear anything?", the answer is often no. And it can be discouraging, sure we know they will grow up, but in the meantime... well there's a lot of sundays between now and when they sit...
Anyway this article was great, in a sorta painful way, but I loved the end where he says:
How to make it through Sacrament Meeting
If you're unfamiliar with Sacrament Meeting it is the main worship meeting of the LDS church. It is usually the first meeting of the three hour block, it is the time for members to take the Sacrament and the time when the "sermon" is offered. It is also the time when the entire family sits together. I laughed when I typed sits, it's just too hilarious to think there are people that sit during that meeting.
We are in the phase of life when Sacrament meeting... isn't a super spiritual experience.Actually sunday is my least favorite day of the week. You have church which is a wrestling match and for some reason you dress kids up in nice clothes to do that, and they hate them. We've gone with the most casual of nice clothes, but every week it's a battle. But that isnt the purpose of the post, so back to the subject. If you haven't experienced this or haven't in awhile let me explain. Sacrament meeting is supposed to be a quiet time... Zachary... disagrees. This last week after attempting to escape under the pews (he's been successful) Zach got upset and Brian took him out while Zach SCREAMED "NO BE REVERENT". I saw the Bishop chuckle, maybe he didn't hear him, but it was just too well timed So there's the ripping Zach from the room, and the trying to control him when he's in there... haha. When he gets bored he slaps his brother in the face, throws crayons, spits food. He's a different child at church. And he really likes nursery so every time they pray (which is more than once) he waits until "Amen" and then screams "Church CLASS!!!!". Yep... it's great. Between wrestling him, finding the things he chucked, trying to keep his mouth full so it's quiet and reading to him... well it's not a spiritual time. Then there's Mikey who's bored and hungry, but trying. Yep... it's a good time. Anyway we often to turn to each other and say "did you hear anything?", the answer is often no. And it can be discouraging, sure we know they will grow up, but in the meantime... well there's a lot of sundays between now and when they sit...
Anyway this article was great, in a sorta painful way, but I loved the end where he says:
Was this the most peaceful hour of my life? Hardly.
Did I learn from the speakers? I’m actually not sure I remember a single word.
But did my wife get an opportunity to renew her temple covenants?
Did my daughter learn from my wife’s example?
Did my deacon son have the chance to serve others by passing the sacrament in the Lord’s stead?
Did my younger sons get a chance—even if briefly—to think about the promises they made at their baptisms?
The answer: Absolutely.
And this is why I bring my family to church. This is what makes sacrament meeting special.
So why do we take the kiddos to church? So we can renew our covenants and so our kids can learn from our example. Eventually we will sit through church and get something out of it, but for now it's good to remember why do torture ourselves each week.
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