Teachable Moments

Worship is a great time to share and listen to your child(ren).  Just like is the rest of life there is no telling what our kiddos will do, but what we do with the moment that matters.  Let's take today which seemed for our family to be FILLED with these kinds of nuggets!

First, we try to encourage Macie (5 1/2) to be quiet in the sanctuary in preparation for worship.  She colors, looks around, etc. as she sets herself "ready".  Sometimes this works great, sometimes not-so-much.  Sometimes she has questions, concerns and ah-ha moments.  These tend to be less quiet and require great patience with a lot of whispering.

Today Macie first noticed the Acolyte who brought in the Light for worship.  She thought this was especially cool because the kid got to wear a special robe and carry fire.  I see her point.  While she pointed her finger and aimed for a better seat, I whispered into her ear "I am the light of the world..." and she whispered back, "whosoever believes in me shall have eternal life".  Not sure who learned more in that moment.  Then she reminded me that to live in heaven we have to remember that Jesus is the way.  Ready for a really cool conversation I was cut-off by a worship coloring sheet.

Then it was time for a Baptism.  There was a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister and the baby.  Macie watched the brother with great intent.  He was about 4 years old and not so focused on the Baptism, but on the baskets with bread in them.  Today was not only a day for celebrating Baptism, but Communion Sunday.  Now, if you were 4 and all the attention was on your little brother what would you do?  This is what Macie saw...snack time.  She leaned over and with some amount of horror stated, "MOM!  That's for Communion!".  This was great!  While my husband was only slightly embarrassed by the gusto to which Macie made this announcement, it opened up the door for a whispering dialogue about Communion and all being welcomed to the table.  Macie stated the little boy was just curious and a bit early.  I went and thanked the mom of the little boy for the moment.  Without it Macie and I wouldn't have had that teachable opportunity.

Life with kids is never perfect and I'm sorry to say if someone says it is, I would remember the advice from my high school English teacher to watch life's absolutes.  It's rolling with life and realizing that if we swallow our own embarrassment, take the time to listen and then respond we may have hit the mark that day. 

Have a blessed week my friends!  This is our week for VBS so between work, camp, life and VBS I'm sure I'll miss the mark some...I often do.  I pray though that I pause enough to have those little teachable moments like today.

Peace and God's Blessings,
Lissa