But I'm Too Tired to Take You to Church!

In spite of the fact that our (new) church's youth program is mostly centered on playing with a rubber chicken, Lily has grown to love it. She's so happy to go every Sunday night. It's a wondrous and wonderful thing.

The church is a long way from where we live. It's so far that when I take her I stay in town, killing the two hours by running errands or sometimes even sitting in the car rather than driving back home and turning back around to get her.  But that's why we joined this church -- good, deep-thinking theology and a great youth program. It sure does kill Sunday night, though.

So I was unprepared when Lily found out that there were also youth activities on Wednesday night. She wants to go to church then, too. I drive so much on Wednesdays already -- the last thing I want to do is drive back into town.

Tonight she said, "Mom, we need to leave at 5:00 to get me to church in time."

"WHAT?"

"I thought you said I could go to church on Wednesday nights," she said imploringly.

I was so tired. I couldn't get back in that car. Here my child was, begging me to go to church. A Christian parent's dream. So what did I say?

"Can I take you next week -- or some other time?" Please, God, don't make me drive this child to church I prayed, then apologized to God but it was a heartfelt prayer.

What was I doing? What was I thinking? If my daughter wants to go to church, what kind of mother won't take her? "I'll take you," I conceded. "Of course I'll take you to church."

Then Paul called and wanted to know what I was doing. And he VOLUNTEERED to take her.

Sometimes, even the most unlikely and craziest prayers get answered.