Lap Time
I was sitting watching my husband teach Bible this morning. He sat at the dining room table with one child on his lap, another smushed up against his side, and two others on the table in front of him. It was a beautiful picture in itself but add to that fact that he was enthusiastically recreating the sounds that would have flooded Noah's Ark AND all four normally rambunctious children were sitting at rapt attention- For a moment today- all was okay.
Did he have things to do? Yeah. Did he have bigger fish to fry? Some might say so. Did he look and sound foolish? To an ignorant ear- perhaps. So many of us, so much of the time miss the value of this foolishness. Today, in that foolishness, he instilled in our children a history, a legacy, a story. Today he continued to give our children an identity.
It got me thinking- The kids have heard this story told time and time again at Church. Probably a hundred different ways too. My husband and I have probably been the tellers of this story hundreds of times in various Church buildings. If this and stories like this are being told in Church buildings across the country, usually very well- why are young adults leaving the church in droves? Why is our country's Christian story being ignored and forgotten? It's mornings like this that I see those questions answered. The stories are not coming from the mouths of Mom and Dad. They aren't coming while children are on or gathered around a parent's lap.
Don't get me wrong- stories are valuable in and of themselves. The preservation of history is key to our success as a nation. So, praise to historians, praise to grandparents, praise to teachers, praise to those that are striving to pass on a legacy to those they meet. Thank you for your efforts- They are not in vain. But, if you are a Mom or Dad, especially of younger children, make sure you have lots of lap time. Lap time without the TV. Lap time that is not silent but rather full of dialogue about our world, our history, our stories.
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Comments
Home is were the heart is . . .
Unfortunately society has decided to redefine the meaning of home and family. The wonderful scene you described takes place on an island of sanity in a sea of evil. May God continue to bless you, your husband and family.
Many church buildings today are nothing more than Christian entertainment centers. Sound doctrine has been replaced by praise performances that tickle the ears of the unsaved world and provide a feel good form of religion that is man center rather than God centered.
The reason young adults drift away from a church is because of the absence of God and His Holy Word.
As people struggle to be "good" and acceptable to God to earn a heavenly reward, no one is telling them that their plan is flawed.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The life God gave us comes with an instruction manual - The Bible - read it and live your faith!
Island of Sanity?????
Thanks- but I'm not so sure about the island of sanity part!!!! HA!
You have absolutely nailed it about our Churches today. We have a Church locally that is very "successful." Lots of people- Kind of an "in" place to be. But they refuse to place crosses in their buildings because "crosses make people uncomfortable." Great music though!
We are seeing so much in ministry that when Mom and Dad- especially Dad- is absent in passing their faith- their story- on to their children, their young adult children are not catching the story. Children are much more likely to stay active in the Church after the age of eighteen if their parents have made an active effort to pass their stories on! My point being the Church can preach and teach the Christian story/Gospel- and that will be blessed. But when Mom and Dad "impress these things upon their children" and talk about them on all throughout life's events- their is a greater chance of many lifetimes of impact.
Better stop now- Could go on forever!!!!
Preservation of stories
The preservation of the stories is best accomplished by the passing along of those stories. Listening to those stories as told by family while sitting on the floor at their feet is the best! The best way for me to understand the depression is not soley from a text book but from listening to Grandma Cooley tell her tales about the depression. World War II is not some war between two countires but the story of how our Grandparents answered the call to serve. Those stories are best when they are shared from generation to generation. Sitting with Ethan this morning while watching the sun come up and talking to him about my day to come was the best part of today.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
There's that lap again!
It's funny you mention the generation to generation story telling. It wasn't but a couple of weeks ago I was telling my children some Great Depression stories that I heard while sitting on Grandma's lap. Come to think of it- a couple of them were on my lap. HMMMMMMM! :)
Words of Wisdom
About 100 quotes from Mr. Rogers circled around in my little brain when I read this blog, Heidi. Here's one, that I think you'll like.
"I don't believe that children can develop in a healthy way unless they feel that they have value apart from anything they own or any skill that they learn. They need to feel they enhance the life of someone else, that they are needed. Who, better than parents, can let them know that?" Fred Rogers
" I hate a dirty joke, I do. Unless it's told by someone who, knows how to tell it. " Groucho Marx as Captain Spalding
Unconditional
Thanks Cor. You are so blessed to have actually known and spent time with him. It makes us all feel better to know that we are loved just because! And how often is love associated with what we bring to the table. Praise God that we don't have to bring him anything or do anything for him in order to receive the love that Mr. Rogers refers to!