Parking Lot Church

Today started off like any other... well minus the time change, which was a little rough. We woke up, I got in the shower, the kids trickled in with their sleepy eyes and footy pajamas. We had spent last night celebrating our little's second birthday with the grandparents. It was a good evening and a decent nights rest for all....

So what I cannot explain is what happened next. It almost was comical, if I had not been the parent in charge (Daddy is away for work)... we had a meltdown over mirrors not reflecting properly, and the fact that there was no Captain Crunch cereal. We had dirty stares and rude comments. Our son simply lost it over the fact that I would not let him open the umbrella in the house. Tragic, I know.

Our oldest was... well pretty much a brat to the core. And I do not use the word 'brat' often or lightly. She was mean, gave hateful glances, and just seriously disrespectful. Our middle was in a cry mode that had no 'off' button... Mercifully, our birthday girl was quiet and happy, which was a Godsend because truthfully I about lost if and it was only 8am.

We were dressed for church with tear-stained cheeks and hungry tummies (obviously Cinnamon Toasted Crunch is no substitute for the Captain), but all in all we were ready to go.

but I just felt so drained....

I was done. It was 8am and I was throwing in the towel. So we left. I packed the bags with screaming children donning beautiful dresses and button up cuteness, and we loaded into the car. With the sure fact that church is not where we needed to be, I pulled out of my in-laws (I am certain they were not sad to see us go at that precise moment) and with a longing look that said "could I just leave them here for an hour or maybe the week?" I pulled out, with tears all around we left and headed home. I had Miss cranky-pants-with-super-rude-body-language-and-tongue, Mr. nothing-in-the-world-is-going-right-so-let-me-throw-a-horrific-fit-about-it, and little Miss it's-my-party-and-I'll-cry-if-I-want-to, we drove off away from church, and towards home.

I was so ready to pull the car over and spank them, yell at them, or maybe just cry it out myself. It was not my proudest moment. But about ten minutes into our forty minute drive, something happened. I don't know if it was because they were strapped in, the Christian music in the background, my silent plea for help, or the realization that I could have church anywhere, whichever it was I will never know, but peace filled my heart, the kids quieted down, and we listened to songs about our loving God. It was simple, it was sweet, and it was exactly what we needed.

About thirty minutes in we were singing, laughing, and talking about the world and how big and beautiful it was. The kids were giggling, I was calm and peaceful, and I decided it was the best kind of church out there... at least today. Today it was the church we needed.

I thought it was a genius idea to start up a parking lot church. Everyone drives up, parks, and keeps the kids strapped in. No chasing or quieting down for the sake of the people in the pew behind you. Just pull up, tune the car to the pastor sermon and songs, and then go home. Perfect, I know.

No in all seriousness, today started off so wrong. It made me feel like an awful mom, and I know my kids didn't feel all sweet and angelic either... but by 9am, when we walked into the door from our impromptu church, we had a completely different attitude, all of us. For that, I am thanking God.

So here is to Sunday, the day to give to the Lord, no matter where you are. Today, we were in a car, and that is ok. It is well, it is well with my soul.