Church -- a religious experience

Sunday morning worship shows me it all - the trial, the temptation, the prayer, the salvation....

But I'm not talking about the sermon or deep theology or 2,000 years of Christian tradition. I'm talking about the little brat in the pew in front of me - squirming, yelping, bugging her siblings, playing with toys, out in the aisles....

I think I'm doing OK by "no graven images," but this little twerp is really trying me for "thou shalt not murder...."

"... and especially not in church, John."

And there's the temptation.

Jesus, I can't know what it was like for you going 40 days in the desert with the devil, but if it's anything like fighting the temptation to haul back and slap this yung'un all the way to the nursery myself....

So I say a little prayer. "Dear Lord, I seek strength in Your example. Please help steer me from these unholy thoughts of sedatives and small closets...."

"And suffer the children to come to you. And away from me."

Finally, after almost an hour, Momma & Co. head for the door/the nursey/Outer Mongolia/I-don't-care-it's-away-from-me.... and my faith is affirmed.

Amen!