Confession is Good for The Soul

Unless you go to confession with your kid.

I had to take my daughter to a prep class for her First Communion - which happens next month. She's very excited. After it was over, I noticed that confessions were still going on in the church, and I grabbed the advantage and we both jumped into the line - we were actually the last two.

Emma went in ahead of me - it was only her second time, and so before entering, I went over what she'd need to do. It was speedy, as befits an 8 year old, and then I went in. My own confession was a good deal longer, and my penance was very insightful on the part of the priest.

I was told that, in his opinion, I don't have much peace and quiet in my life (hahahahahahaha! He's soooo funny!) and so I should sit in the peace and stillness of The Blessed Sacrament and reflect on The Passion as it relates to my life.

Good stuff.

I exited the confessional to see Emma sitting on the pew. "Can we go? Can we go? I'm already done!"

"No. Sit and wait for me."

"You were in there a long time - you must have been really bad!" she whispered - which was really more of a stage whisper, and I heard the woman next to me chuckle. "Emma. Just sit and wait for me."

I sat down, closed my eyes, and tried to empty my mind. Do we need milk? No. Empty your mind. Relax in the peace. Why was my phone vibrating? It's the house - I'm not going to answer it, but I hope that the kids I left at home are ok. Empty. Quiet. Peace. Reflections.

I became aware of a tap on my arm. I opened one eye and looked over to see Emma's face right.next.to.mine. "Can we go? Aren't you done yet?"

No. Sit and wait.

Breathing. Focusing. Trying to find peace. Trying to embrace the stillness. Trying to reflect on my life, and how good I really do have it, and find the positive and

"Wow. This is taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r. You must have been REALLY bad!" said in nothing resembling a whisper, unless you consider it a SHOUT whisper.

Opening my eyes, I looked around to see several sets of shoulders shaking and one poor woman looking at me in what could only be described as shock. Grabbing my coat and purse, and my unrepentant child, I left.

I think that's enough peace for one person.

Comments

[Amie]

Rofl

[Nicki]

Funny stuff. :) I am hoping my 8-year-old takes the opportunity to go to confession this week during CCD, otherwise he has to go with me and I don't think it will go well, or even remotely quietly.

[kyooty]

They have totally changed the Confessions here there is no more "lone room" because of several Bad apples. The kids go speak with the priest within ear shot and we can see them and the priest at all times.

[KatieButler]

Yeah, Eucharistic Adoration is a solo event for me. ;)

[Jodie in MN]

KIDS!

[Beth]

Well, at least the people around you got a smile -- and you know, I'm sure that's exactly what the Lord wanted for them! And you've got to admit, it's hysterical!!!!!

[Rick]

Hey, you did the right thing in going to confession and did as well or better than any of us could do in the same situation.
Kudos to you! You're a great mom!

[kirida]

Ha! Confession was so odd for me. I wasn't sure exactly what to talk about during my first time and I think I mostly rambled and had more penance than I should have had I been succinct.

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

Now that is funny! God bless you, Carmen.

[Brandy]

I know it wasn't funny at the time, but I hope you can find humor in it now. Very cute. Wishing you some peace!

[FireMom]

Oh hell. Kids. I'm sorry that I giggled. Really, I am.

[Mary]

That's the kind of story that you'll be so glad you wrote down when you read back in ten years! It's a great one.

[Pat]

When we were little, one of my brothers who never understood the concept of "whisper," went to Confession and could be heard to tell the priest, "I hit Bobby, but he hit me first." Our ride home in the car was devoted to Dad explaining to my brother that in Confession, you did not speak loud enough for everyone in the Church to hear you. Since my brother was last, the priest (who knew all of us) came out and looked right at my Dad and said, "So much for anonymity in the Confessional." LOL

[Barbara]

Shared a link to your blog with my friends on facebook. While I only have 4 kids, I totally get where you're coming from. My son's First Communion is on Mother's Day.