When our kids were small I wanted them to know that I am part of something bigger than little old me. I am part of a body and when one part hurts, the others hurt too. Kids hear God not only in church but throughout the week. There's so much we can learn from them.
I love to hear from children. Not all the time. Not while we are shopping and our two-year-old yells, "Look, that man is gonna have a baby!" But children sure write interesting notes to pastors. Here are a few that are just too good not to share.
• "Dear Pastor: Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. Sincerely, Peter Peterson"
• From Arnold: "I know God loves everybody, but He never met my sister."
• "I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the offering plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love Patty"
• "I would like to go to Heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there. Signed, Stephen"
• "Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help, or a new pitcher. Thank you, Alexander"
• "My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house. Joshua"
• "My mother is very religious," writes Annette, age 9. "She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold."
• And finally, Loreen, Age 9: "I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.
Loreen has a point, doesn't she? I've awakened some Sundays and thought, Why church? I'd like to sleep in. There's football on. The fridge is right there. Church? Whatever for? There are hypocrites at church; people who disagree with me. What if the sermon goes into extra innings? Ralph, age 11 told his pastor, "I liked your sermon. Especially when it was finished." Ever felt that way? The truth is, there's better entertainment out there. Besides, church gets messy. I've been hurt and disappointed there.
Still, I go to church each Sunday just like I take my car to the gas pump and load that thirsty guzzler up to the gills. Here are a few reasons I not only go to church, I want to go to church.
When our kids were small I wanted them to know that I am part of something bigger than little old me; I'm part of a body and when one part hurts, the others hurt too, and they do something about it. I wanted them to see that most people at church are gracious, a few are grouchy. That's life.
I go to church to hear from God. I do this best when I listen, not when I think of others seated near me who badly need the message. I go to encourage and be encouraged. I love the music. Not always. But even the best pitchers are allowed a few bad pitches. At church I connect with people so very unlike me. I need "unlike me" in my life. I need the young guy updating me on chemo treatments. The old guy with the hearing aids and respirator. I need to hurt, and pray, and help where I can.
I love time one on one with God. But there's nothing quite like watching my favorite sports team live, or my favorite band in concert. In the same way I long for what happens at church. By God's grace our kids go to church now too. Not because I tell them to, but because they want to.
And since God is my Father, each week is a big old family reunion.
We're a motley crew. Join us at church this week. Don't wait for the hearse to bring you there.
Phil Callaway is a speaker, best-selling author, and host of Laugh Again Radio. Check it out at laughagain.org
