Communion, Kids and Spearmint Gum

"When do we get to take communion?" "Does this gingerbread cookie count?" "When do I eat it?" "Why?"

How do I tell my precious children that communion is a sacred sacrament of the church, a time to join the ancient tradition of participating in the Lord's supper, a time to join the body of believers surrounding us in refreshing and renewing our minds, a time to put aside all distractions and focus on . . . .
"Mom, can I .  . .?"

Before I had kids, I would bow my head during communion and pray for renewal in my mind and spirit as the elements were passed. Once I had children, the all-seeing eye took over while one eye still shut in solemn reverance. Communion is a special time for me on Sunday morning and I don't want other church-goers to be distracted by my kids.

How do I pass on and leave a legacy of respect to my growing girls when so many distractions tempt us all? I sit there, bowed, wondering about knats at the Last Supper. If my children and I get  distracted so easily, I can only imagine what the disciples dealt with. They didn't even have windows. Darn, I got a  cracker piece with a burnt edge today.

Back to the reverential bowed head, serious this time. "Mom, psst, hey mom." I look up wearily,  hushing my child and scanning the rows in front of me.

What is that? Green, gooey? It can't be a hearing aid. No, that teenager has green spearmint gum behind his ear. No, oh, no. He can't possibly be . . . going to put that back in his mouth after communion. Sure enough, moments later, it was gone and the boy was chopping and smiling. Oh gross.

Forgive me Lord. Communion is over but at least I have a lesson to teach my children on distractions in communion and in life in general as we  get carried away with the details and forget  where our heart should be.

I think I'll tell me daughters about communion just the way I told you. It may not all sink in now but they'll get it someday and hopefully keep on learning like their mom.