When “Reality” Sets In

I love being a dad! There are days when it is difficult, but, as we look at the “big picture,” it is a very rewarding work. As children age, though, there are certain things that are harder to explain.

Recently, my family got in our car and headed toward the church building for our evening worship assembly. We left at about our usual time, backed down our driveway, and started down the street. My two children usually sing or just enjoy the regular sights.

On this trip, however, we got a teachable moment that I wish we didn’t have to have. My daughter, age 4, spoke up and said, “Daddy, why are so many people still at home?”

I wanted to say:

• “We’re leaving a little earlier than usual (what was true, by about five minutes), and they’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”
• “They go to another faithful congregation that starts at a later time than we do.”
• “They are ill and simply can’t go tonight.”

I couldn’t say those things, though. After thinking for just a moment, I gave this response: “Honey, not everyone goes to church. We want them to, though, don’t we? We want them to learn about God, don’t we?” Her response was a loud and meaningful, “Yes!”

For the rest of our short commute, I thought about her question. It made me want to do better about inviting our neighbors and friends. It made me desire to teach our kids to be evangelistic and encouraging. It made me sad in some ways, because there may be a day coming when our children want to do what “everyone else” is doing, although I pray that day doesn’t come.

Then, though, my mind turned in a different direction. So many parents have had to answer a similar question, and it’s a question that has to be more difficult to answer. It’s a question that I’m sure will be coming sooner rather than later. It’s a moment when reality will be hard on our precious children, but when we will have an opportunity to instill higher values in our kids.

It’s the moment when they ask, “Daddy, why doesn’t every Christian come to more than just the morning worship?”

Are you causing that question to be asked?