“The Church is ‘mother and teacher’ not by supremacy, but through service: she accompanies the growth of freedom, taking on the mission of the Divine Master so that everyone ‘may have life, and have it abundantly.’”
– Pope Leo XIV
Our parish is exploding with young families. For one who studies parish trends, it makes me smile for lots of reasons, but as the father of teenagers, a big part of my smile is the joy of having an hour every week to reminisce about our own toddler days without having to relive them.
There is one precious family with five children under nine years old that often sits in front of us. The parents do an incredible job of trying to keep everyone focused, but inevitably, they turn into a two-person jungle gym right around the middle of the homily. Two of the littlest children like to wander a bit. Last Sunday, the mom was trying to wrangle both of them with arms she didn’t have — given the baby she was already holding. Roaming into our pew, the little girl began exploring our family. My lovely wife picked her up and began quietly pointing out to her different things in the church. When the toddler’s mother realized she was missing a child, she looked back and began mouthing apologies. Tricia leaned in and whispered, “It’s all good. Sometimes we all need to wiggle.” Tricia’s new friend was mesmerized by her mini-catechesis for the rest of the liturgy.
In matters of pews and peewees, I had the experience of raising our own children to know that Tricia was right. I also couldn’t help but consider other areas of life and leadership where I for one, like to run a tight ship. Regardless of age, how do I help others focus while also giving them wiggle room? Where might my desire for structure be stifling curiosity, discovery, and learning? In what other areas am I frustrated that people don’t seem to be paying attention when I haven’t first explained to them why the thing before them is worth their focus in the first place?
As we exited the church building that day, another toddler pulled on my jacket to show me their new dance. As I shimmied in return to the embarrassment of my children, I gave thanks for the witness of these tiny disciples who remind me and you to give others the space to wiggle every once in a while.
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