Battles

                   

Getting my kids to come to church (or should I say failing at getting my kids to church?) has made me do a little soul searching.  When they were little, getting them there was not a problem.  Having them there sometimes was a problem :) especially for those who chose to sit by us. I know many times I left feeling like I had just ran a marathon.  I certainly didn't feel like I had been worshipful and I really didn't even hear much of the message, but I knew that my kids would grow and learn how to behave reverently in church.  Well, they did grow, and grow, and grow, and now two of my three kids are taller than me!  They became teenagers who like to sleep in on their "days off".  Over time I became tired of the work it took to get them up on the weekends.  As my convictions were being whittled away, thoughts started popping into my head.... voices saying "I was forced to go to church when I was little and that's why I won't go now!", "Teenagers need their sleep, they are growing!", "They believe, isn't that what's important?".  I started letting them skip one Sunday a month and this is where the slippery slope began.  That one Sunday a month became easier for me.  I didn't have to worry if everyone would get there on time. I could pay attention to the whole service better. I could stay and chat afterwards without getting "the look".  Once my kids realized that skipping one Sunday was okay, they became more obstinate about going on the other Sundays.  My convictions dissolved away even more.

Romans 8:7  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

During my soul searching, I realized that I was allowing these sinful thoughts to take root and crowd out the Holy Spirit.  I allowed it because it was easier, or so I thought.  It is not easier, the battle did not go away... it just changed locations.  It went from being a battle in my house, to being a battle in my mind, to becoming a battle in my soul, and a battle for my children's souls.  Ultimately that is what free will is all about.   Thankfully I have a loving Father who won't let me wallow in my sin -- He gave us His Word (Jesus) to follow, He gave us His Holy Spirit to convict us, and a heart connected to Him!!!  Worshiping on Sunday allows us to hear the good news -- even though we are sinners, if we come with a repentant heart, He forgives us. It allows me to show God that I am grateful for His extravagant love and show Him that I extravagantly love Him back.  I pray that God helps me show my kids that going to church on Sunday is a privilege and a joy, not a boring requirement.