Why Did I Bother to Come?

On any given Sunday at RE, there are 4 prayer ministers in the library, 12 tappers in Bible Hour, and *4,738 parents roaming the foyer with crying infants and restless toddlers, wondering, “Why did I bother coming to church today?” (*These are actual figures based on Sheridan Umphress’ weekly observations.)
Having survived that time in my life, I am here to offer hope and encouragement by listing the 8 stages of sitting in the auditorium with children.
Stage 1 - The baby’s clothes match the blanket which coordinates with the monogrammed burp cloth. The parents gaze lovingly at their sleeping angel for the duration of the assembly hour. This stage lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Stage 2 - Baby throws up on mom’s shoulder as she is walking to the car. Determined parents return to the house, change giggling baby, and decide to try again. No aisle seats to be found in auditorium. Mom feels a warm oozing from baby’s diaper and plans classic action law suit against Pampers Corporation as they give up and go home.
Stage 3 - The bag is loaded with books, toys, crackers, Cheerios, juice, wipes, a pacifier, a blankie and pull-ups. Bible Hour is cancelled, and the only snack they want is in the communion trays. Each toy offered is rejected with a resounding “NO!” except for your car keys which are flung over the balcony.
Stage 4 - A friend is invited to sit with your child on the row next to and eventually
Stage 5 - in front of parents.
Stage 6 - Your child is invited to sit with a trusted family. (Gypsies will do.)
Stage 7 - Our boys knew when they sat with the youth group this
meant that they had to sit where they could see our faces. If they were caught laughing or passing notes, they would receive, “THE LOOK.” Heaven knows, church is no place to have fun.
Stage 8 - At some point, your teen may refuse to come. Parents sit heartbroken, wishing they were back in stage 3. This stage is strictly optional.
Why bother to come?
You are establishing a pattern that will bless your family for generations to come. It’s worth it. You are setting an example for other young couples who are watching and learning from you. It’s worth it. You are encouraging the rest of us by letting us have a glimpse of the future of the church. It’s worth it.
We might need to reframe our thinking a bit. Maybe you see a runaway toddler in the foyer. I prefer to see a missionary in training! Are those crying babies in the observation nursery or praise team tryouts? You tell me. That rowdy bunch of 5th grade boys will probably be elders when they grow up. (Everyone stop for just a minute and get a mental picture of Charlie Broom as a 5th grader in church!)
Some day your shoulders will not smell like spit up. You will be able to sit through an entire service, uninterrupted. Next thing you know, you’ll be looking around for a baby to borrow. Until then, don’t be afraid to borrow an ‘aunt’ or an ‘uncle’ to sit with you and give you a break.
Hang in there. It’s worth it!