Quiet Bag
Noun
- A bag containing items that do not make noise in order to keep your small child occupied during a period of time when they are not free to run around (worship, doctor’s appointments, etc)
- A bag that doesn’t like to talk
(from Tracy’s dictionary@notreallyontheinternet.com)
Of course, the problem with taking a quiet bag to worship is that it doesn’t always work! The creative lap book is turned into a fishing pole, the cheerios are strewn about, and none of the thoughtfully chosen toys are engaging to the very delightful, wiggly and vocal child you have brought.
What is the secret to a successful quiet bag?
Grace
Babies, children, parents – they are all just people. And people are always in need of grace. Sometimes we forget to give our children grace as they are learning new habits. But we ourselves need grace as we learn these new habits of parenting, especially in training them to worship.
Beloved, we will each need grace – and the Lord has enough grace to cover parents and children both.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ~ John 1:16
A Sense of Humor
My son “lost” his shoe in the aisle once. He was sitting with a friend near the front while I had taken a fussy baby to the back and finally sat down. I watched the internal struggle displayed on his little face. He hopped down from the chair, tiptoed to the shoe and picked it up. He stood there for a moment, looking at the pew and then the aisle. And then, he planted one foot back, reached it back by his ear as if holding a football, and threw it in a beautiful spiral all the way down the church auditorium.
It’s a funny memory now. But I remember in that moment being ready to burst into tears and just leave for home. I also remember the wonderful couple who came up afterward, hugged me and told me how much they loved me and my children and also that my son should play football because he already had an excellent throw!
No matter how carefully you plan your quiet bag, there will always be something you can’t predict. But that’s the beauty and chaos of parenting. Learn to laugh and you will become a better parent for it.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22
Remembering who it’s for
It’s a fact of life – you can’t make everyone happy. Sometimes the problem is my own unrealistic expectations of the kind of parent I should be. Sometimes, it’s the sting of others’ criticism, either real or perceived.
Beloved, you are not there for others’ approval. You are not there to look good. You are not there to fulfill your “idea” of what a good parent does.
You answer to a higher authority: the Lord Himself. And He has already called you and your children to Him. We are not just teaching our children to be quiet. We are trying to teach them to be still before the Lord – to learn to love and worship him. And that beloved, is good and hard work.
Then children were brought to him [Jesus] that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. ~ Matthew 19:13-15
Jesus is calling both us and our children to worship.
The question is – will you come?
Photo by reihane haririzade on Unsplash
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