Your son was screaming during the gospel reading. I couldn’t hear anything. Your daughter was banging some toy on the pew and I missed the sermon. Your toddler spilled Cheerios all over the floor. I was so distracted by your children that all I could do was glare at you. I thought it was your fault. I thought you needed to take a parenting class or be more consistent or just leave. I was wrong. I was stupid. I am sorry. That was before I had children. That was before I knew anything. Unless you have a child day-in and day-out, you cannot judge. At all. You do not know the situation. Hunger. Exhaustion. Naps. Bedtime. Parents working. Daycare. Changes. Toddlers. Babies. Phases. No. Mine. No fair. He said. She said. You DON’T know anything. I know you saw my glares because I see them too. I know you heard my exasperated sighs because I hear them too. I wish you could hear my apology. I didn’t know. It’s hard. And it’s not your fault. It’s not your children’s fault. You don’t have bad kids. You are not bad parents. I was just stupid. I was wrong. I am sorry.
Thank you for bringing your family to church every week. Thank you for being role models to childless couples. For showing them that no matter what, you put Jesus at the head of your household. That you are teaching your children how to love the Lord. Thank you for the hour that you spend wrestling your squirmy toddler. One day that toddler will be wrestling squirmy kiddos of his/her own. But because of you, Jesus will remain central in his/her life. Know that your family is always welcome. Because Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me" and not because of anything that I say. My opinion, past or present, does not matter. Only Jesus. And he loves you. He loves your children. He loves every squirmy, loud, snuggly, cheerio filled moment of your time together.
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AuthorI am a writer, a crafter, a DIYer, a mom, wife, a daughter, a professional, and whatever I decide to be tomorrow. While I spend most of the day being called mama, I am much more than that. Archives
June 2018
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