sermons, worship, and being in the nursery

I used to think missing the Sunday morning sermon was a big deal, because I really love listening to a good sermon, and our pastor preaches quite well.

But since then, I've discovered that nursery work gives me just as much understanding and insight into the world.

First, there's the older woman with whom I watch all the children. She can tell me about her family, she can tell me about God, and also impart a lot of down-to-earth wisdom. And she does.

Second, there's the baby monitor. One can hear the singing and participate. An important part of worshipping God is the time spent singing with the congregation.

Third, there are the children themselves. Profoundly untainted illustrations of human nature. They haven't mastered the art of hypocrisy as profoundly as their older siblings. They still go by gut instinct, and are not afraid to cross border-lines. In them, Respect for Persons manifests itself only in its most rough and basic form.

Fourth, the revelation of God's goodness, grace, and the needs of those around. Prayer times and story times inevitably arise from my hour and a half with these children.

So many times the Scripture and sermons just pass from my mind within a day or two. Much of the time I have my own thing going on in personal devotions, and I don't want to spend time on something discussed at church. Perhaps I fear that it will narrow my understanding of Scripture, or something. (Ha!) I won't soak as much up if I'm just learning what the pastor teaches on Sunday morning. What balogna. I mean, baloney.

I used to make a point of listening to lectures during the week, on top of my theological study, reading from the Bible, and (willy nilly) prayer times. Now I don't.

Isn't it funny how we approach God? Well, at least this is the way I aproach Him. I set aside a specific time to pray, read, study, and think. I make time for Him. (sounds pious, doesn't it?) But the things that eat up my whole day--school, chores, work, and play--those things I take for granted. Those are my life. God is the thing I wedge into my life for one or two hours a day (usually when I'm the most tired and foggy).

Really, it's supposed to be the other way around. I should so obsessively worship God, that I should really have to squeeze to fit in my school. I should work so hard at obeying and glorifying Him, that my important Agenda seems to me a trifling, flimsy thing. I should live all my life in His presence.

But I don't.

And so, I'm off to think some more, and to hopefully take some action. Have a restful Lord's Day.