Gò0dNews for Parents
A New Perspective
A
by Ashlee Abernathy
ll too often, I have worried that my children were
difficult for him to fit in or to make friends, but his church
too noisy during church. I have worried that they
family provides him with a place to be himself. He is able
shouldn’t get up on the stage after church while
to express himself in his own way, and because he feels
all the adults are all chatting and discussing their plans
free to be himself, he has been able to truly fall in love with
for the week after the church service. I am guilty of being
learning about Christ.
overbearing and strict on my sons’ every move inside the
My husband and I worried about our oldest when we
walls of the church. One Sunday morning, my pastor said
found out we were expecting our second baby. He had
something so profound it shook me to my core. He said
been an only child for almost five years, and adjusting to a
to me, “I know you worry about the boys making noise
new routine is never easy. We would make a big deal about how he was going to be the perfect big brother, and that’s exactly what he is. He learned to love playing with other children in Sunday school and junior’s church, in addition to other church activities. When the time came for his little brother to come home, he was ready and beyond excited. Now, they play together at church with all the other children, knowing all the while that it is acceptable and encouraged to have fun in the Lord’s house. My oldest son loves church, and I pray that love for church and Christ continues throughout his life.
and running around too much, but I want you to know it
In Matthew 19:14, it says, “But Jesus said, Suffer little
doesn’t bother me a bit. The day we stop hearing the noises
children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such
made by children in this place is the day we might as well
is the kingdom of heaven.” We should always encourage
close the doors because the church will be done for.” His
children to love church and to enjoy being in the Lord’s
words were exactly what I needed to hear.
house. My youngest’s idea of fun is different than his
I have two amazing young boys. My oldest son is 6
brother’s, but they always manage to love being at church
and is on the autism spectrum. My youngest is 1 and is
together, learning and growing in Christ. Children should
bursting with infectious joy and energy. My oldest sees
feel at home in church so that as they grow older, they
things differently than those we call “neurotypical,” and
always feel at home and church remains a place where they
he isn’t always accepted everywhere we go. Sometimes it is
desire to be.
18 // March 2020
