Sitting through church, Part 1

Laurina and I attended a more traditional church service last week as we supported her little sister's confirmation. The whole Sigmon family clan packed into the worship service and were quickly given our own pew (smart move on everyone else's part!) About 1/4 of the way through, Laurina had to take Allie and Daniel to the "sound proof" room at the back of the sanctuary. After Elizabeth's confirmation portion of the service, she took them down to the nursery. Jeremy and I "made it through" the whole service. Jeremy raced pens up and down the pews, bumped into unsuspecting people in neighboring pews, and talked at the most inopportune times (usually during prayers or the sermon portion of the service). After we left, Laurina said, "That's one thing our kids have missed, is learning how to sit through a church service." That statement hit me like a ton bricks. I knew what she meant. It would be nice if our kids had practice sitting through things they don't necessary want to sit through and being quiet when everything in them wants to talk and play. That would make it easier for more sophisticated gatherings that we occasionally get invited to, but are not entirely appropriate for a family of our volume and age. However, do we really want our kids "sitting through" church? I am thankful for the passion our four year-old has for church and Jesus because his church classes are fast, loud, and engaging for a child his age. Please hear my heart on this, I'm not trying to knock any particular style of church, worship, or anything like that, just debating an idea that has been around a long time in the south; that your kids should learn to sit through church. Would I really trade Jeremy's zeal for the risen Savior for the convenience of him being more used to sitting still and quiet? I pray everyday for the salvation of each of my three kids and I believe that them being excited about Jesus at an early age is the best way for them to find Him. Sitting through church.... No thanks, I'll take a genuine love for church and an excitement about Jesus every time. Stay tuned for part 2