Psalm 34
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
Taking kids to church can be one of the most humbling experiences Christian parents have. Some kids who come from hard places have a hard time sitting still for long periods of time. Managing all of the structure demands and the transitions that Sunday mornings present can be difficult for many little ones. Some struggling families are on the receiving end of disapproving looks from fellow church members and negative messages from Sunday school teachers. I’ve even heard of families who have had a child asked to leave Sunday school by teachers who don’t have the skills to manage kids’ behaviors.
My church, like many churches, send groups on short term missions. We support orphanages, thrift stores, Bible schools and missionaries, just as many of your churches do. I love that our church has a commitment to kids who are struggling in remote places. I hope that our church also has a commitment to children and families that are struggling right in our own congregation.
Sometimes families may choose to pull back from church activities for a time to avoid the stress. For some kids, the structure of church activities is simply too much for a time. However, I do hope these families will head back to church soon.
Don’t be afraid to advocate for your kids. Educate Sunday school teachers and other youth workers about your child and best ways to reach them. Your child is as valuable as the kids in the orphanages where missionaries and church groups are sent.
My heart fears embarrassment, but God promises that when I seek him I will not be shamed. When we seek the Lord, he answers us and delivers us from our fears. What better place to seek him but in church.
