Wrestling a Crocodile

Have you ever wrestled a crocodile?  Sunday gave me the opportunity . . . at least in theory.

Attempting to keep a toddler still in church is very much like wrestling a crocodile.  Sunday, I had to make a decision on how I would respond.  I could choose to respond in frustration towards a child who was struggling to sit still; or I could rejoice in the opportunity that was given to me.

By sitting in church with my toddler, I am able to train him. He is learning the importance of faithfulness in gathering together with other believers (Hebrews 10:25).  He is also learning how to rein in his energy and sit quietly.

My other children also learn by my example.  If I were to take every opportunity to duck out of church because of a squirming child or a headache caused from stress, my kids would grow up thinking that attending church is not important.  By attending even when going to church is difficult, my kids learn that attending church is very important and has great value for their spiritual lives. 

Yet, my children are not the only ones learning by my actions.  The Lord is also teaching me to control my own emotions and reactions.  I am also learning to find my spiritual nourishment from personal study of the Word of God rather than depending on the preacher to spoon feed me every week (Acts 17:11).  The Lord has also been teaching me that simply gathering together with other believers can be uplifting to one's spirit.  This is not to say that there is no value in hearing the sermon (the sermon has many lessons).  I am simply drawing on those blessings and lessons learned outside of the message.