Jarring...a post about prayer

Baby Girl goes to preschool two mornings a week. At the Roman Catholic preschool. I expected religious lessons and prayer. (Side note--at orientation open house, we received the packet with rules for bringing snack, etc. At one point, it says if you do not wish your child to participate in the religious curriculum, an alternative will be offered. Really? Why would you send your child to a religious institution and NOT expect religious instruction at some point? At the very least, shouldn't that have been given prior to registration? But I digress.)

She regularly brings home little learner leaflets similar to many Sunday School curriculum I've seen over the years. The first week, it came home in a folder that listed all the lessons. I commented that I'd be most interested in the one labeled, "We Love Mary." Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against Mary. But I'm Lutheran; we look at Mary a bit differently. And I'm not worried--Baby Girl is 3, I'm guessing it won't be too in depth even if they get to that lesson!

None of which is the point...the point is prayer.

Tuesday morning, as usual, I took Baby Girl to school. Precious has a bad cold and we had a funny schedule Tuesday, so mom came to my house to watch her instead of us going to mom's. So Precious wasn't with me as she normally is. I signed Baby Girl in to class and went across the hall to the Book Fair. I couldn't resist--I love books. Thankfully my purse was in the car.

But I killed enough time that it was time for morning announcements..."Please stand for prayer." I expected Baby Girl to pray before snack, but I didn't expect whole school prayer. I student taught at a Roman Catholic school and we didn't do that. All of a sudden, I was nervous--was I supposed to pray? Should I keep looking at the books? What should I do? It was jarring, sudden. I wasn't prepared to pray in that moment. I missed the crossing myself during 'the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit' and then it was the Lord's Prayer. I can do this, I thought...except for the jarring end! Remember, I'm Lutheran--we say, "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory" before we say Amen. I was completely not prepared for the Hail Mary or Glory Be. (Or the Pledge of Allegience which followed prayer...but that's another story)

I can't say why exactly I found it so jarring...

But I find myself thinking that I should go to the Book Fair again on Thursday. It might be a good reminder about how to start each day.

Don't Stress About It

Says hubby at noon. So very unhelpful...

Baby Girl won't admit to wanting to nap, but doesn't want to stay alone watching tv.

Precious doesn't want to be put down, period. And screams if we are in bedroom with Baby Girl.

Hubby is working outside because he wants to get further on shed and has help today.

But, I have to write a sermon. The other stuff that should get done -- laundry, bills, filing, watering plants can wait. But I need to write this sermon and have nothing...nothing...

Yesterday sucked--I wanted to scratch the last post and say I'm not even feeling like a good mommy because Baby Girl was pushing every button.

I'm so frustrated with life at the moment...

Maybe it is post-partum depression. I just don't know what to do about it....because medicine won't give me more hours in a day or a family who does more than they do...

posted one-handed holding precious in room next to Baby Girl who hasn't noticed I'm gone...here's hoping she went to sleep...might be able to sermonize!