Why take your kids to church?

I love my church family; but I can admit that there are times when I wish that I could just sleep in on Sunday mornings.   Between working all week, all the kids' events and housework it would be nice to not have anything to do one day and just relax.  

We live in a neighborhood that could be described as a little "Yuppy like" so when we leave the house we see people sitting in workout clothes at the local deli or starbucks on the corner just hanging out talking or reading a book.   Looks relaxing compared to my heels that I am wearing.

Yes, I even admit that getting up and getting to church can be hectic.  I don't know why it is so hectic on Sunday morning but it sure can be.  We, like many families, have our little fussiness on Sunday mornings that magically disappears when we walk thru the church doors.

I will even go as far as to say that there are things about church that I hate.  Church politics, vulnerability in friendships that you get hurt in, pressures to do things outside your comfort zone and the whole building is filled with hypocrits. (shhhh, don't tell anyone that I said this - but since I can be one of them at times I feel that I can say it!)

So, why do we go?


Basically, we get to learn more about God's word that we can apply to our lives to be better and more like what God designed us to be.  We get to fellowship with other believers that encourages us, love us, celebrate with us and cry with us when needed.   More importantly, going to church is only a few hours a week out of the 168 hours that we get each week to focus ourselves on God.

However, out of all the things that are beneficial of being involved in a church family is the added love that is shed upon your children.   Hearings things spoken to your children that you could NEVER say without your kids rolling their eyes and tuning you out.    Seeds being planted into your children about life, about who they are, what their purpose is and what they can aspire to be.

My kids have been blessed with two of the most amazing men as youth ministers since we have been at New Beginnings.   First, there was Stephen Gordon who made my kids fall in love with going to  church.  He made things so fun, so exciting and so fully connected with my kids.   They loved "Beebop"! He started to teach my kids to be bold with their faith and that being at church was cool.   Our hearts broke when Stephen and his family moved back to Georgia several years ago.

Then there is Justin Jett!  Justin picked up with my kids right where Stephen left off.  He made friends with my kids.   He didn't just become a youth minister to them but someone they could rely on, someone they could vent to  and someone who believed in them.   I think if I would look at my kid's phone bills and text messages 50% of their conversations would be with Justin.

My kids have been invited into the Jett's home as family.  I see it when they go there.  They are not guest but merely just "at home" when they get there.   Justin has invested himself in them (and many other children in our church) to help them grow the seeds that Stephen planted. 

When it comes to Kagan I am especially thankful for these men because they have helped to mold my son to be the man he is becoming.  A young man who is facing cancer with "God is great" attitude.   A young man who is confident in his Creator and thankful for his Savior all at the same time!

Today at church, Stephen and his precious family were here from Georgia.  Both Justin and Stephen were talking to Kagan and I asked to snap a photo of them and this is what I got:

This was the EXACT visual of what I had in my mind about what these men have done in his life.  They have surrounded him, embraced him and are able to bring that big smile to his face.  I even love Justin's extra little intimate hug there because it is actually how I feel that his and Kagan's relationship is. It is not just youth minister vs. student relationship - it is so much more.

So, why take your kids to church?  Because when your kids aren't listening to you they are listening to someone! I am just blessed that as Kaleb and I strive to raise our kids the best way we can that there are others doing the same.

We can't keep them from making mistakes, from getting cancer or what ever life brings but they are surrounded with people hugging them, supporting them and encouraging them. Not only for what today brings but for what eternity brings.

Our church family is blessed to have amazing ministry staff.  I think John, our Senior minister, was at the hospital more times than anyone else when Kagan was in the hospital.  He brought laughs, he brought prayer and he brought hope.   The entire ministry staff reached out to Kagan with visits, with cards, with hope.