I have become that parent that gets nervous when my child
starts to cry. Even though I joking tell him to use his words to tell me what
is going on, I know he is just a baby and that he cannot express his wants his
wants and needs in this way. I have also become more observant of people
staring or doing the quick glance of fear and trepidation when he even makes a
simple “ugh” noise waiting for the siren to sound. I get a little worried that
I am disturbing others and I quickly want to stuff a pacifier in his mouth and
just smile, wave, and apologize profusely while bowing and walking backwards
out a door. How wrong am I to feel this way?
Then, I noticed people with children at church the other day; the children were older, but still children
hanging out on their seats during the praise part of the service. The kids were
playing, writing things down, and sometimes speaking loudly back and forth
while trying to get their parent’s attention showing off their doodles and the
parents were visibly getting nervous. I could see them trying to bat the kids
hands down or whispering, “That’s nice, but we’re trying to sing” or “sit down,
quit jumping on the other kids head and making monkey noises” (ok, that didn’t
happen, but the way they were getting nervous their child might as well have
been).
The sad thing is; this feeling should never have come over
these parents or even me… ever. Kids are going to be kids and they will make
noises. Over time they do need to learn the right time and situations for
making noise, but sometimes I wonder if Church is not necessarily the place for
that to happen. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be respectful of people’s time
of prayer and praise, but should there be a sense of nervousness or fear that
comes in the hearts and minds of the parents trying to do the same thing? Nope,
I don’t think so. I am not saying my church puts that sense in their attendees;
in fact, it is quite the contrary, but for some reason that sense is there. All
I can say is, sad, so sad.
Jesus clearly wanted the children to come to Him. You want
to know how I know, He said it! In Matthew 19:13-15 we find Jesus’ disciples
getting upset that kids were being brought to Jesus. Jesus said “Don’t block
these children from hanging out with me” (New International Bobby Version).
Those kids were probably goofing off a bit, tugging at their parent’s tunics or
robes asking why that guy with the beard wants them to sit on His lap, or even
crying a bit. However, Jesus still wanted them next to Him.
We even sing the song lyrics “Jesus loves the little
children” and last I checked it didn’t say “only if they stay quiet and respect
the worship time in church”. He wants the kids to make noise. He wants them to
feel welcome. He definitely doesn’t want parents to be hindered in their
worship while trying to avoid being looked at funny. Let the kids play. Let
them enjoy their time together. Remember, they are in fellowship too. As for
babies, well, they’ll cry. If you don’t like it, I am sure there is some good
church on TV. A baby’s cry, means it is alive, and God is blessing the parents
to raise another beautifully and wonderfully made piece of work. Parents, don’t
feel nervous, let the children do what they do, but in certain situations (you
know when), remove the children if it is absolutely necessary. If not, keep
bringing the children to Jesus.
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