Matters of Faith

Based solely on her scream, one might understandably assume that my middle child was related to Steven Tyler (the lead singer of Aerosmith, for those of you who are not classic rock fans). And as far as I can tell she uses this high-pitched, make-you-want-to-pull-your-hair-out shrill quite indiscriminately.  Sometimes she screams because she has been injured, and sometimes to get our attention or because she’s excited. But sometimes she screams for no apparent reason other than to watch us go bug-eyed, rigid and fall out of our chairs.  

Recently, I have been reminded of something one of the priests at the Cathedral said on a Sunday morning when no nursery services were offered.  Children were screaming, laughing, crawling over the pews, and swinging from the rafters and in response he said, “We are so blessed to have all these beautiful children in Mass with us today. Though they may be a little distracting, they are only acting their age.  Be patient with them, just as we are patient with you.”  It’s really hard to be impatient with a two-year old when I consider all the ways in which my friends and family are patient with some of my non-age appropriate behaviors.