Reverence Begins at Home

There Once was a Beautiful Dear Little Mommy, all dressed up so lovely for church in azure blue. In her arms she carried her sweet little son in a suit of a lighter hue. This Little Sweet Mommy was Single, and had not a man to help her wrangle this sweet little minx of a Darling Boy upon her wooden pew.

So all through the meeting, I heard her soft voice as she shushed and she hushed, and she implored the sweet lad to be quiet, even if he could not be still! But that Beautiful Boy was only two you know, and he had no interest in behaving so. He wanted only to be giggling and loudly playing, even if the rest of the congregation was quietly praying! Oh this poor Beautiful Mommy was so distraught. She looked around with reddened cheeks to see in who’s judgement she’d been caught. But not in Mine, for I remembered from long ago then, the Sundays of wiggles and giggles from my own Darling Children.

Most Darling Little Boys and Darling Little Girls aren’t Quiet by Nature

Didn’t she know that little boys won’t be hushed or shushed in the chapel when they do not ever practice at home? Little boys and little girls need their daily dose in a Quiet Time zone. During this Quiet Time they may read a book about dragons or draw a picture of one too! They may play quietly with their soft animals, and imagine quietly to be at the Zoo! But no loud voices are allowed during this magical time of quiet; only whispers. For if they do not learn how to whisper at home, how can they whisper at church?

Practice they must, to get whispering right, and they practice in their own wee room, piled up on their own wee bed. The goal here isn’t to sleep, but to play quietly instead. If Dear Little Mommies would practice Quiet Time each day, I promise it’ll soon be better when at church or when away!

Busy Bags are Worth Packing With Care

When you take them to church, Dear Sweet Little Mommies, do not pack them with toys with wheels that make no noise. Because not even quiet cars or trains or planes will do, because your sweet wee tot will engage their noises for you!, “VRrrrrooom”! So instead try a wee book, or a coloring one of Jonah’s Whale on a hook. Have toys that are quiet, maybe even a blue velvet mouse! Because we all want our wee ones to be reverent, when they are worshiping inside of God’s house.

If you must bring your Sweet Wee Child a treat, Oh please let it be discreet! Let there be no wrappers that crinkle or foods to make make loud munching sounds, or you’ll get unwanted attention, and curious heads will be turning around! I know it isn’t easy, and I know it isn’t fair, but trust me that it is worth it, if you take this extra “Quiet Food” care!

Practicing Being Reverent

When my own Little Ones were bigger and older than this little Tot, they occasionally made irreverent noises. Now if they did it a LOT; then when we got home, into their chair they would go, to practice being reverent: about 20 minutes or so. Their arms would be folded, and they couldn’t make a move or a sound, or the timer would start over, and attitude would be found!  It didn’t take more than once or twice, to convince them that being Reverent at Church was Oh So Nice!

Open Your Arms and Help a Mommy

Now if I were sitting in a pew close to a Sweet Little Mommy, and I could see that she needed a hand, I’d offer to take that Beautiful Little Tot on my own lap for a span.

For long ago and far away, there were Sweet People who did this for me back in the day. I had five children, with three Little Tots, all under four. I found it hard to get them dressed, ready, and out of the door! By the time I arrived in the chapel, my nerves would be shot! My children would feel sweaty and my face would feel hot! I imagined all of the eyes of the congregation centered upon my wiggly crew, and I often wanted to join my cute toddlers underneath the pew! But instead Loving Arms would take them from me one by one, by Empty-nesters, and Older-nesters, my daughters and my son!

My Sweet Hubby wasn’t with me, as he sat up on the stand. I know he felt badly about these Tots who got so out of hand! But when my arms were empty of children, I was as grateful as could be. To have a moment of peace as my youngest children were not piled upon me. Instead they were loved, they were pampered and cuddled. So I allowed myself to enjoy the meeting, even as my own tired eyes puddled. I was very grateful for that small time to myself. So if you can do the same for some Dear Mother, you’ll be highly appreciated by this selfless gift, and be loved as No Other.

The Moral of This Story is: Reverence Begins at Home, and a Helped Mommy is a Happy Mommy

Sincerely,

~Cynthia