Sunday Offerings. A Note From Jan.
Church did me good today. I know that’s not supposed to be why we go, but sometimes it just does me good for none of the more sacred reasons. Basil started it. Luke finished it. Two boys sandwiched between their mother and grandmother should exhibit more staid behavior. But Basil punched Luke, and Luke returned the favor with less intensity. The only peaceful solution? Offering envelopes!
How many children and parents have stayed seated in church because some usher made sure every pew held a fresh supply each Sunday! How many kids did like Luke and Basil today, grabbing pencils and offering envelopes from the back of the pew, determined to draw anything but further attention or ire.
Luke drew scenes of the Super Bowl as he hoped it would turn out. Scenes entitled “The Patriots vs. the Sea Chickens.” (Patriots won 28-24!!) Basil’s art depicted stick figures flying off a diving board, slam dunking basketballs into a hoop suspended over a pool. Definitely a California kid! I drew memories of Chad running through stacks of envelopes, drawing caricatures of ministers and musicians, some with comb overs. Drawings too realistic to leave behind. My Bible contained a cartoon section.
Once the offering actually took place, Basil lit up and squealed, “Money! Money!” I feared he’d snark a few coins or, worse, deposit his envelope.
Well, whatever the budget might be for offering envelopes, I’m grateful. I’m sure more than one kid will stay in church longer than expected because someone remembered what it was like to be a kid. Perhaps a wiggly preacher’s kid like me, sucking lifesaver peppermints down to their final hole, filling in every inch of one small envelope and hoping my Daddy in the pulpit and “my Father up above” were “looking down in Love” while I made my Sunday offering.
Makes me want to draw Luke and Basil close and whisper, “It’s genetic!”
9 Comments
Rascals are welcome. I'd bet my life the Apostle Peter was one.
We told our kids they could read the Bible rather than paying attention to what was going on. And then...they discovered the Song of Songs!
Missed your smiling face in church yesterday. So glad that you are enjoying Luke and Basil's offering envelope artistry. Look forward to seeing you along with Katie and Maggie at the 9:00a.m. However, we must see what we can do about providing offering envelopes for our younger congregants!
I so remember my son drawing a lady with a bird in her hat. She did wear a hat of sorts; guess it reminded him of a nest. Took all the self control I could muster to hold the laughter inside even though there was some shoulder shaking going on the outside(mine).
I think I tried to make airplanes from the offering envelopes when I was a kid. They never did fly:) I actually quietly "snuck" out of church yesterday just before the offering (thank goodness for electronic giving) so that I could go be with some grandchildren who don't "yet" go to Church. So thank God for squirming kids in Church. I would give anything for ours to be seated with me in the pew, even punching each other:) I hang on to God's faithfulness and find encouragement even in my own prayers for them. So glad you are enjoying your family Jan; you are missing more big snow but it will be here waiting for you I am sure. GO PATS!! Sending love
Jan, Thanks again for sharing your life w/ us
Well known. But in France, we don't have offering envelopes, and a lot of churches have chairs and not pews. Why doesn't some forward looking Church supply note pads? Joyce always had paper, and if there was no children's activity, attempted to draw the message for our children to understand it. One advantage was that I could look at the pictures after preaching and understand better what I had communicated! Jan, you scored again -- you are great; We love you.
And yeah, Patriots!! (Whew!)
David and Joyce
From Super Fun sketching to a PATS Super Bowl victory! Love it! Only from the pen of Jan...
Takes me back to childhood at the Baptist church. We used to relieve boredom by reworking the lyrics to the hymns....