Confessions From a PK’s Mother

by Pam Doty

My son Isaac has always been a model child in church as befits a PK (preacher’s kid). Well, maybe once or twice he crossed the line. However, having to sit next to the Vice Chancellor of the University of the South during his formative years did curtail his tendency to wiggle.

As a wee child of two and a half, he was alert and attentive during the processional, the singing, and the reading of scripture. When the minister finished his reading with the words, "the Gospel of the Lord," and the congregation responded "Praise to you, Lord Christ" he fell immediately into deep slumber, snoring not with the gentle burble of the cherub he appeared to be, but with the pew-shaking thunder of a fire-breathing dragon. (This could have been a skewed perception on my part, but I had to sit with the Vice Chancellor, as well.)

He slept through the most animated of ministers, guest speakers, and even, Desmond Tutu, only to awaken bright and refreshed, ready for the rest of the service, as soon as the "amen" had been rendered. I was always quite positive that he never heard a word of any sermon. At least, he never indicated much recall at the Sunday dinner quiz. Some things did get through to him, however. One year, near Christmas, his father preached an exceptionally noteworthy sermon on the Annunciation. As usual, he snored blissfully through Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary. I thought he could not have heard anything. He did. Along about Thursday of the next week, he awoke in the morning with the exclamation, "Mom, I had the most wonderful dream! Santa Claus came to Ceilidh (his very pregnant border collie) and told her she would have more puppies than she had nipples!" And along about Christmas, it was so.

Although the details had been rearranged by his small child brain to be less irreverent, a messenger had come from God to proclaim a miracle: his beloved dog was giving birth to puppies.

Then there was the week his dad preached on "many gifts, but one Spirit."

I was nagging Isaac about practicing for his piano recital. We played out this scenario each week right before his lesson, but things never changed. He practiced reluctantly. On this particular occasion, I was berating him for his failure to learn his recital piece with the event looming three days hence. He ceased all efforts to play the tune, turned to me and said, "Mother, don’t you ever listen to Dad’s sermons?! This is not my gift!"

I let him quit. When your son quotes scripture and the preacher, you’ve lost the argument.

Sometimes, children are such a distraction during worship. But maybe we need to exhibit some patience.

Children have an enormous capacity for learning, even when you don’t think they are paying any attention at all. When that child appears to be sound asleep, or noisily engrossed in clambering over the pews, he can be absorbing the message of God’s love, and translating it into meaning for his life. We need to take care that we put no stumbling block in his path.

Pam Doty is married to the Rev. Michael Doty, St. Paul’s, Athens.