Sundays as a MOMYS
(for those that don't know MOMYS = Mom Of Many Young Siblings)
We have had various gastro issues here most of this week so the kids and I stayed home from church today. They watched a Paws and Tales and I listened to a sermon by Chuck Swindoll (I just realized that we were really supporting Insight for Living this morning LOL). Then we had a Bible study time together. (BUNNYTRAIL ALERT: Our study was on Ecclisiastes 3 and later I overheard Libby,informing Jack that "there is a time to be good and a time to be bad and it's not time to be bad!")
It was such a relaxing morning. I had time to actually LISTEN to the sermon and even took notes!
Sundays are often so chaotic for me. I do try to pre-plan and make sure outfits are laid out, and breakfast is a quick one. But usually something is forgotten, somebody poops their pants on the way out the door, or I oversleep (I’m working on this one!). Even once we get to church, trying to keep track of everybody and keep everyone happy can be a challenge. Our nursery is small and often full of toddlers so I haven’t felt comfortable leaving Elie there yet. This means she is on my knee during the service which is also sometimes distracting.
By the time we are ready to come home, everyone is hungry and some are cranky (sometimes Mom is the cranky one). I often don’t feel like I’ve really gotten anything out of church except a few more germs!
Don’t get my wrong, I love our church! The people, the preaching (and not just because it’s my husband doing the talking), even the organ music! But, this morning made me realize that I need to figure out “how to do church better”. I have realized that some of the needs I used to have met at church, are going to have to be met somewhere else.
Church used to be the main place where I went to be taught and worship. It is hard to really focus on a sermon or the words in a worship song when you are also focusing on training pre-schoolers how to sit still and behave appropriately. I can’t expect to really grow from a sermon that I missed the middle of because I was changing the blowout diaper that couldn’t wait! Church has changed for me, and I hope now that I’ve realized this, Sundays will once more be a peaceful day. When I’m not trying to make the morning into something it’s not, I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it more.
At this season in my life, church is the place where I go to find fellowship, enjoy God’s people and sample some great food at potlucks. Making other times to learn and worship during the week is now my challenge!
We have had various gastro issues here most of this week so the kids and I stayed home from church today. They watched a Paws and Tales and I listened to a sermon by Chuck Swindoll (I just realized that we were really supporting Insight for Living this morning LOL). Then we had a Bible study time together. (BUNNYTRAIL ALERT: Our study was on Ecclisiastes 3 and later I overheard Libby,informing Jack that "there is a time to be good and a time to be bad and it's not time to be bad!")
It was such a relaxing morning. I had time to actually LISTEN to the sermon and even took notes!
Sundays are often so chaotic for me. I do try to pre-plan and make sure outfits are laid out, and breakfast is a quick one. But usually something is forgotten, somebody poops their pants on the way out the door, or I oversleep (I’m working on this one!). Even once we get to church, trying to keep track of everybody and keep everyone happy can be a challenge. Our nursery is small and often full of toddlers so I haven’t felt comfortable leaving Elie there yet. This means she is on my knee during the service which is also sometimes distracting.
By the time we are ready to come home, everyone is hungry and some are cranky (sometimes Mom is the cranky one). I often don’t feel like I’ve really gotten anything out of church except a few more germs!
Don’t get my wrong, I love our church! The people, the preaching (and not just because it’s my husband doing the talking), even the organ music! But, this morning made me realize that I need to figure out “how to do church better”. I have realized that some of the needs I used to have met at church, are going to have to be met somewhere else.
Church used to be the main place where I went to be taught and worship. It is hard to really focus on a sermon or the words in a worship song when you are also focusing on training pre-schoolers how to sit still and behave appropriately. I can’t expect to really grow from a sermon that I missed the middle of because I was changing the blowout diaper that couldn’t wait! Church has changed for me, and I hope now that I’ve realized this, Sundays will once more be a peaceful day. When I’m not trying to make the morning into something it’s not, I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it more.
At this season in my life, church is the place where I go to find fellowship, enjoy God’s people and sample some great food at potlucks. Making other times to learn and worship during the week is now my challenge!