By Lydia Jentzen Will
There is no one perfect here on this earth, at least no one I know. Each and every person I have ever met has their flaws and shortcomings and no one is more blundering than I, as evidenced in our mad dash out the door one Sunday morning.
I was lounging in my robe, contented in thinking Grandpa was taking my 2 big kids to Sunday school and I would follow an hour later with my littles for the Worship service.
It was then, approximately 30 minutes before Sunday school started, that my darling son deemed it worthy to tell me that there was a “special parents’ meeting” this week and “you have to be there to help me decorate a bible! They said you HAVE to bring a parent!”
I could have chosen to respond gracefully, but instead I raged. I hadn’t had my coffee or even a shower. Daddy was in the shower getting ready for work so I had to do the best I could and get myself (and the babies) dressed and out the door in, oh, 15 minutes.
I ranted. I yelled.
I threw everyone unceremoniously into the car. I complained. I scolded. It was while I was buckling the baby in that my son told me “oh, we need to bring a new bible to cover.”
Where am I supposed to get you a new bible at 9:15 on a Sunday?!
We made it to the meeting. We didn’t need to bring a bible after all. After the parent’s meeting, we went into the 2nd grade room to do this special craft with them to prepare them for receiving a bible at next week’s church service.
I walked in the room and his face lit up.
Despite how horribly I had behaved, he beamed at me.
As we worked on his bible cover, a verse came to mind – something about a three strand cord not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). On that Sunday, back when my husband worked odd shifts and I was mostly alone in my Sunday morning parenting, I was so thankful for the three stranded cord in my life – my biological family, my church family and, of course, God. With this a family, church community and Heavenly Father working together, my children are blessed with more than I could ever manage alone.
I was so thankful for the three stranded cord in my life – my biological family, my church family and, of course, God.
We left his classroom hand in hand. During the first song of the Worship service, I leaned over and apologized – and he forgave me on the spot.
I don’t deserve it, but he gave it anyway. Precious grace. I’m not sure if he learned it from me, from Sunday school or from God himself, but I am so glad that I’m not alone in this. That we’re in this together, raising up children to the glory of God.
The following Sunday, I handed the Bible to him up there at the front of the church service. As the congregation promised to help in the raising of these children in the knowledge of God, my eyes welled up. All I have is gratitude – for this church family, and for the God that covers all of our efforts in limitless grace.
***UPDATE for 2014***
Sunday, October 26, at the 11 a.m. service 3 year old children and 2nd graders in our congregation will receive bibles. These bibles are a way for the St. Luke community to support parents and families and help them interact with the word of God and his love and promises for each of us! Join us this Sunday to celebrate the children and their faith walk! Contact Janette Haak if you have a child who should receive a bible.
