A reader, Sharon LeGarde, shared some of her thoughts with me about Sunday snacking and reverence so I asked her to contribute to a guest post on the subject.
Remember - Style isn't just about what we wear. It's the whole package - the whole image!
Take it away, Sharon!
Spirit or Skittles?
Where or what is the spirit I'm seeking?
Lost in the crumbs and the drink?
"Children, please fold arms and listen."
"Teens, please just stop texting and think?"
What if our Jesus really was watching?
Sitting, near the Biship on the stand?
If our 'meeting' wasn't just an hour to "get through"
Using Jesus' name with the water & bread?
Are our thoughts so distracted with snacking?
Focused on instant messages or feeding the kids?
Could we stop, be respectful and reverent?
Remember it's from the Lord our spirits are fed.
Not a Sunday "keep quiet" bench picnic.
Could we teach little ones to worship" instead?
Turn our minds, caring attention to the Lord.
Come to Sacrament with our hearts, not our food.
He died, so to lift up our bodies.
He died, so to save all our souls.
Sacrament meeting is special and sacred.
Let's worship the WAY God has shown.
-- Sharon B. LeGarde July 17, 2009
I am a parent, grandparent and soon-to-be great grandparent. I've also been a professional Nanny for all ages in all social strata and circumstances. I have spent thousands of hours baby-sitting, even for the most difficult personalities and behavioral patterns. May I share my experiences with y'all?
The latest member of my family is a toy chocolate poodle. Her name is CoCo Cherie Chanel. We took the time to train her at a young age...7 weeks... to a litter box using dog litter. It was not easy, we had to be diligent, patient, loving and consistent. But at a certain point, the end was worth the means! Never having to take the dog out to potty. No rainy, cold, wet days "walking" the dog. It is now a year and half later. No accidents, no problems. No outside potty trips. We are saving days of our lives in time; weeks, months, energy, effort, all because we made a little effort and followed through for the BEST END result!! Folks, if a dog can learn this, a child CAN learn reverence and to sit fairly quietly. Yes, a toddler may need a bottle, cheerios and books. But there is a point in progression where soon after being a toddler, FOOD, DRINKS and TOYS are not needed for 70 minutes out of a whole week. In my neck of the woods I'm seeing straws in huge drink containers, complete sandwiches with dessert, etc.! Children only know what we take with us, give them and allow to occur at Sacrament.
Is this a familiar scene from your meetings? Your own row?!
We need not replace the quiet books of our childhood with texting and hand-held video games.
- Idea: We parents can train our children and grandchildren to respect the Lord and his house. It just takes some home practice, some "role playing" or "let's pretend we're at Sacrament" sessions. With patience, diligence, love, consistency and the desire to teach them proper reverence with loving consideration for the sacredness of Sacrament meeting.
- Start out with 5 minutes sitting in a staged area with music playing.
- Work up to the whole 40 minute thing with prayers given, singing, and talks. FHE is great for this, using a sacrament meeting model, till they are good at it and are able to translate it to real Sunday use.
- Dress up, role play. Kids love to do that! All children can feel our attitude and pick up on the intent and support they get from you.
- You can then use this idea for going out to a dressy dinner, special event, theater show, concerts, etc. Children can learn to behave and be respectful of ANY occasion and event! Manners too!
Love to All....Sharon B. LeGarde in Hendersonville Ward, Tennessee
