Sunday Morning Conflicts

[Mike]

So here I am waiting for my son's final game of his final tournament of his baseball season, and we're missing church. When he was younger, we didn't have these conflicts, and I always said I wouldn't have him play on a team that forced these decisions. But he's 16 now, and leagues for this age play 5-6 days a week. There's no way to avoid Sundays.

There's a movie bases on a true story about the life of Erik Little (I think that's his name) who was a world champion runner. He disqualified himself from a world championship race, because he refused to run on Sunday.

I'm not legalistic about it, but I do like to reserve Sunday morning for the Lord and try to focus this day a little more on Him.

Are there any things you will do or try not to do on Sunday to set it apart?

 

[WIP]

So here I am waiting for my son's final game of his final tournament of his baseball season, and we're missing church. When he was younger, we didn't have these conflicts, and I always said I wouldn't have him play on a team that forced these decisions. But he's 16 now, and leagues for this age play 5-6 days a week. There's no way to avoid Sundays.

There's a movie bases on a true story about the life of Erik Little (I think that's his name) who was a world champion runner. He disqualified himself from a world championship race, because he refused to run on Sunday.

I'm not legalistic about it, but I do like to reserve Sunday morning for the Lord and try to focus this day a little more on Him.

Are there any things you will do or try not to do on Sunday to set it apart?

I've been battling this same issue and quite honestly, I don't think I've been doing a very good job of it. On the one hand I am glad that our daughters take an interest in team sports. I think there are a lot of benefits. On the other hand, I don't know why it has to be so important that it takes up Sunday too, especially Sunday morning. The coaches don't make it any easier. If the girls aren't available on Sundays then they are "punished" by having to sit the bench during the next game.

I try to make it clear to our daughters that I do not approve of the situation but I don't require them to stay home on Sundays either and this is where I struggle. I don't believe it is required by God that we spend time in church on Sundays but I do think it is important for a person's spiritual well-being. How do I deny them the joy of being part of the team and the fun and excitement of those games without making God sound mean and unreasonable?

The only thing I feel I can do is try to keep God in our daily lives and make Sunday services an important part of our spiritual walk whenever possible. The one thing I won't do is allow them to skip Sunday services "just because." There must have a legitimate reason.

I could be wrong about this but in my case the challenge is increased because I think my wife has a more relaxed attitude about church activities and so she is less inclined to push our children to be involved with the church. I honestly think if it wasn't for me, she and our daughters would probably not see regular attendence at Sunday services. My involvement seems to motivate them to be involved.