Church times four

Going to church with four little kids was a challenge for me but one one that I managed and am happy that I made the efforts.

When we became members of the United Methodist Church in Aurelia, our kids were still preschool age.

We claimed the front pew on the left side. Walking down the center aisle to get to our seats each Sunday morning meant filing past everyone who had arrived on time for church. (Yes, we were often late.)

The kids learned to be quiet during the service and spent much of the time drawing. I loved those years, when they would take turns sitting on my lap during the service.

So many of those church friends commented what good kids they were - and so we continued to claim that front pew in which our kids could be seen throughout the service from everyone sitting behind us.

The children's sermon was always a fun time for the kids - but I said a little prayer each week that they would not say anything too embarrassing when the pastor asked them questions.

I recall as clear as a bell the morning that Jordan, a new kindergartener at the time, answered the pastor when he asked what rules they were encountering in school with, "We're not supposed to watch people when they are going to the bathroom."

I could have crawled under my pew but enjoyed the laughter that it brought to the others.

As my kids grew, I felt their height became a wall to those people sitting behind us who were trying to read the words from hymns and prayers projected on the screen up front but we spread out across the pew, making windows for those people in the back, allowing us to continue sitting up front.

All of the kids have been confirmed and I am sorry to say are not as faithful going to church with me any longer but I do know that the early introduction to church instilled that belief which will be with them all their lives.

With Jordan home from college over the weekend, I insisted that they go to church with me on Sunday. You know, it is tougher to get teenagers gathered up in the mornings than those little kids - showers are longer and primping is a necessity.

We again walked in late (why surprise everyone by showing up early or even on time). We would probably have claimed a back pew but everyone else had the same idea so I herded those two 6'+ boys and the girls, much taller than me, up front again. I felt so proud (yet so small surrounded by them) to have them all there with me.

I can't help but miss those early years when they were small and embarassed me with their comments during the children's sermon - and when I was much younger.