Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I promised I would not take offense

I have often thought in the church when they talk about offending people that I would not be among those offended. WELL, Let's just say never say never. I am not easily offended so I just thought I could handle whatever came my way. In Sunday school we were talking about the sacrament and the importance to keep it sacred and what things we can do. He asked "what can we do to prepare us and our families to partake in such an important aspect of our gospel?" Suggestions were made and he said how can we change as a ward. Well, this is when people bothered me. I understand my children are not as reverent as I would like them to be. It is really hard. I have three YOUNG kids and if it is not one fussing it is another. My family is one of the few families that actually get to church on time and 8am is early for cranky kids. People were talking about how kids should be silent during the sacrament and more people need to take their children out when they are making a fuss. They went on and on about how the children in the ward are very disruptive and so forth. I felt (not that is was true) but a big target had been placed on my back. I was really angry and frustrated that these people were so negative and that their spiritual preparation can be thorted by a crying baby. Yes, I take my kids out when they are behaving poorly but I try to keep them in the meeting as much as possible so they feel it is important. Many of these people that were making these comments had older children. Did they not remember how FUN it is to wrestle a kid ALL through church? I don't wake up every Sunday thinking how fun I have in sacrament when my child suddenly chucks a toy three rows up. Why can they not look at the families with horribly behaved kids and take pity on us or be happy that we made it a priority to be there? I would gladly come for the last two hours and make my life easier. So now I struggle with the desire to be at church at 8am. I don't want to impede on any ones spiritual growth. p.s I don"t need any pity I just wanted to vent.

1 comment:

Brian and Ami said...

I hear ya! I think people with older kids FORGET what it is like to have younger wild children, now that theirs are older and can understand things! I've had some little comments like that here and there, and it gets under my skin. I agree that parents should take their kiddos out when they being distracting or on the verge of a meltdown, but you are so right - you have to have some flexibility so that these little ones can learn that it is important to be there and learn HOW to behave. Geez - pat on the back for getting three little ones dressed and at church by 8am! That alone is hard enough! Ha ha!