Family Life

Everybody came over this afternoon. Old people, young people, in-between people (that’s us), kids–about 30 people in our back yard. At church this morning we invited everybody over for a barbecue. There weren’t many people at church, so we were pleasantly surprised to see so many show up this afternoon. The weather was excellent, the food was great, the company was wonderful, and the mosquitoes were few.

Planning an event like this can be a little stressful, especially for a hermit like me. I’m more comfortable with people one at a time rather than in large groups. There’s also the concern of how the kids will handle it. Small children do better when they keep to their usual schedule. A yard party pretty much throws that schedule out the window.

We had a wonderful time. There was plenty of food and drink, more than enough lawn chairs, lots of time to mingle and socialize, and hardly any bugs. (See? There’s a good side to having a drought!) All three boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves, the older two involved in lots of uninhibited running and yelling. We had quiet, sleepy kids tonight at bedtime. They were still happy, too, which is always a bonus.

Sundays can be draining sometimes. It’s supposed to be a day of rest, but it doesn’t always work out that way. The whole family has to be up and out the door at the same time (and preferably on time as well, though that’s a rarity), the boys are expected to be quiet and still in church, lunch is invariably late (so the children are grumpy), and it’s difficult to squeeze the boys’ nap in between the end of lunch and the afternoon service.

Today wasn’t like that though. And neither was last Sunday. Last Sunday was quiet. Today wasn’t quiet, but it was peaceful. Both days have been restful.

For some time I’ve been distressed about how my children distract me during worship on Sunday. When I’m trying to keep them occupied and quiet and still, I find I can’t concentrate on prayer, singing or Scripture. Some Sundays I’d just give up at the impossibility of it all. What’s the point in going to church to worship if you can’t worship? So recently I decided I’d try to withdraw my attention from the kids as much as possible, and go back to focusing on the real reason for being there. I was skeptical, but to my surprise so far things have been working out. I can sing! I can focus on the prayers! I can read the Scriptures! And suddenly Sundays have become restful, quiet, peaceful.

I’m happy.

How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord, they experience your favor.

Psalm 89:15 (NET)

Photo: Makara beach, New Zealand.

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