So the other day my 5 year old was sitting next to me in church. All 6 kids were beautifully dressed, pressed and reverent--sigh, yes, the picture of perfection--doesn't happen often. Anyway, I thought everything was going smoothly until this little guy sat up in his seat and looked all around himself. He looked up front to the speaker, to the sides of us and then proceeded to flip all the way around and look at everyone behind us as well.I couldn't help but ask, "Carson, what are you doing?"
He flipped back around and leaned over. "Mom, what are we doing here, really?"
"Excuse me?" I near enough choked. "What do you mean what are we doing here? We're here to feel the Spirit and learn about the Lord."
"Yeah, I know that Mom--but why?"
"Why?"
"Yeah. Cuz, haven't you noticed that church is sooo boring? I mean, seriously, Mom. All these people just keep coming again and again, over and over... to the most boring place on earth. Why do we gotta keep coming? It's so dumb and all we do is sit here and listen. It's Sunday we could be playing at home, or doing something fun--instead we gotta come here. It's just so boring!"
Needless to say that boy learned a lesson about why it's so important to come to church and how much we owe our Heavenly Father--but not without a few chuckles and glances to my hubby. Who knew that 5 was the new 15? Seriously.
Wow, he sounds so very mature! And a rebel already.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have such problems, as our daughter loves to go to church! That's only because she doesn't need to sit and listen--there is child care program and children go and play while parents relax and think of spiritual stuff. It's quite great.
'Fraid I agree with him - who said 'God' can only be found in chuch? And anywhere is a good place to learn basic human principles of caring and compassion - not to mention love for our fellow creatures...
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny kid! Church can definitely be boring when you are 5 and the speakers are talking to 50 year olds! LOL! And anyway, I'm sure primary isn't so boring...
ReplyDeleteLol!! How funny! I think every kid feels like this! I even have to force my 13 year old at times to pass sacrement and remind him that it's his duty as a priesthood holder!
ReplyDeleteLori--LOL! Yeah, um, mature... he's always surprising us. Maybe it's because he has 5 older brothers and sisters. My kids go to the "fun place" which we call primary while my hubby and our oldest son go to classes, but during the actual service it's the whole family.
ReplyDeleteJinksy--LOVE Nature! It's one of my favroite places to go and explore and feel the Spirit. And I agree... I think my children should live good principles every day and find the Love of the Lord everywhere, not just in church.
Kimberly--LOL! Carson Loves primary--he's just not into the whole sacrament part--but he'll live. Especially after I reminded him Heavenly Father gave us so many blessings, it's ok to give one boring our back to Him--like when Mom has to watch one of your movies and not hers. LOL!
Regina--LOL! So true! What kid doesn't want a break sometime... it just cracked me up he realized at 5 how boring it was! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOh, the things they say! :D
ReplyDeleteMy oldest, who was 5 at the time (something about that age, maybe?), gave a stage whisper during communion once: "Is that a snack for grown-ups?" Ha!
Too cute! But my daughter likes to say the same thing, that it's too boring. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat story is hilarious! I had to speak in church yesterday and I was thinking to myself, What am I doing here! LOL! But Seriously, I love the questions kids ask because it really makes you think about everything you do when you have to explain it. And that picture is priceless. What a cutie!
ReplyDeleteI know what he means. Sometimes I think the same thing, but then I remind myself why I do it. I'd sure love to sleep in and chill, but, uh, there's more to life than that.
ReplyDeleteI have a son who is naturally very skeptical and we have to field questions like this regularly. Thankfully, we also have a daughter who is naturally very spiritual and she just goes with it - if we tell her the prophet said something, that becomes her law.
ReplyDeleteHow precious! My youngest (Court Jester) used to climb under the pew and fall asleep...when he shoulda been wayyy too old to do that. :)
ReplyDeleteVery funny and your children are adorable. How do your other kids handle sacrament meeting?
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, Carson. LOL That kid is sooo funny. I remember thinking that at 13 when I sat there staring all around me. Now (most of the time) I'm glad to be there so I'm happy my parents taught me when I was young the importance of church.
ReplyDeleteChurch is a great place for fellowship but I can understand him asking why. Our girls liked church when they were younger but as adults they don't go that much. Some kids are like your little one though. Very curious and they have to know why things happen. Kids from age of a few months up til their teens have their own services. They are in play time til about the age of three then in sunday school for their age group.
ReplyDeleteAs my kids have gotten older, this hasn't been as much of an issue. I do remember a phase when I felt like I had to bring all sorts of entertainment device known to man to sacrament meeting to keep them occupied. Then one day, a light bulb clicked on and we left all the toys home. Ever since, the kids focus on church and enjoy it for its sake and it seems to work. But then my kids are older than yours.
ReplyDeleteBAHAHAHA!!! I think I just peed my pants! That's hilarious!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious! I'm am hearing similar from my 18 YEAR OLD! lol
ReplyDeleteJanna--Snack for grownups? LOL! That's awesome! hehehe! I love 5 year olds!
ReplyDeleteMelissa--hahah! She's a smart cookie!
Candi--Yay! I love to be the guest speaker! How lucky you are.. and thanks... I love my mischevious elf too!
lois--yeah, I hear you, WAY more to life than ignoring the lord.
Tristi--Ooh! That's so cool. My oldest son really hangs on anything Dallin H Oaks says... and since listening to him so much he's been appreciating the other apostles. Welcome to my blog!
Angie--LOL! Why is that not hard to believe?? LOL!
ReplyDeleteJessie--they draw if they're good, or sit in the foyer with their arms folded if they're not. LOL! honestly, i can't complain.. they're pretty easy, actually, now that the older ones just act like it's normal.. the younger ones really don't question it, that's why we were so surprised by our son! hahah!
Garnet--Welcome! Yeah, I personally love church! And I do need it for the Love I feel there and the fellowship. My children love sunday school/primary so much more too.
Pink--once my kids turn twelve.. no more drawing quietly. I find so far, that they tend to not draw much anyway from about ten on.. just because they understand what the talks are about and they like them.
Caitlin--Ack! LOL! I'm so glad I'm not cleaning your chair! Gotta love 5 year olds.
Erica--heheh! 18? LOL! Ack! don't tell me!
Well, you gotta give him props for honesty, at least!
ReplyDeleteHow did you get this post comment at the bottom of the page.. this is cool! I like! OH and I tottally understand, sometimes I ask the same question lots.. even though I already know the answer and of course never quit coming. But I understand!
ReplyDeleteDebbie--I know right?
ReplyDeleteBreezy--it's in your settings with the comment section... you click on the little box that says comment box attached below posts.
how many ppl no about ur blog?!
ReplyDelete