Embarrassed

[*Living~By~Faith*]

This evening during church, I sat with my mom and she fell asleep a few times. I never looked directly at her during church so I didn't know for sure if she was asleep, but I could tell she had her head down a few times. I asked her when we got out of church if she fell asleep and she laughed and said yes, I just couldn't keep my eyes open. I didn't say anything else to her about it. But this was embarrassing because of the people behind us knowing that she was sleeping. She already doesn't want to be in church, so I didn't want to say anything to make her not want to be there even more. What can I say to her about this so it won't happen again? I probably won't bring it up again until like next Wednesday on the way to church or something, just casually tell her she needs to focus and stay awake. I had forgot that she also took the adult SS class booklet and began flipping through it while the pastor was reading scripture. If anyone behind us noticed her doing that, then it would have been obvious to them that she wasn't paying attention and had no interest in being there.

[stillforgiven]

If she didn't want to be there, and she laghed when you asked her about it, I suggest you drop it. It sounds like she was bratting-out on you, and bringing it up could be what she wants. IF this is true, not saying anything else will take the fun out of it.

[D in Georgia]

Try not to be embarrassed or irritated. Pray for your Mom. She needs the Lord and she is your Mom. Honor and respect her. D

[Jeanne D]

Are there any physical reasons why she is falling asleep? Is she not getting enough sleep at home? Does she have any medical conditions that may make things worse? Just wondering.

Jeanne

[*Living~By~Faith*]

No, she doesn't sleep well at night. She also falls asleep when she gets still such as when watching tv and things like that. So I guess it's not really a surprise that she'd fall asleep when sitting still in church. I'm sure my pastor noticed it this evening as well considering that he walks around a lot while he's teaching and at one point was just a few feet from us.

[livingwaters]

It will be alright...the Lord has a plan...just keep her coming to church...one of these days, maybe even when she's napping, the Holy Ghost might get inside that heart and shake her up...don't be surprised!!! God knows the end from the beginning!!!! Just be still and wait on God, that's what HIS Word says.....

God Bless

[steelerbabe]

Here's a different perspective: My mom died when I was 22 I would be thrilled if she was here today to go to church - awake or asleep.

[D in Georgia]

I know there are many reasons why someone would have trouble sleeping, but your Mom might have sleep apnea. My husband struggled with this for a couple of years until it got so bad that he could hardly stay awake during the day, even when he was driving. He now has to sleep with a c-pap mask which has been a life saver. He can actually lay down to sleep all night long.
Here is a link with some info on sleep apnea.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/...ea_WhatIs.html

[moonglow]

I wouldn't take it as a sign she didn't want to be there...I have watched people nod off in church for years...lol. Its no big deal. Most pastors do not take offense at this...its just a fact of life, when we get older and sit still for more then a few minutes, we get sleepy! I have even seen teenagers nod off in church...has nothing to do with lack of interest..it has everything to do with lack of sleep the night before! If the pastor or anyone asks, just tell them your mom is always sleep deprived...(and as others said that needs to be checked into). Try to not let it embarrass you so much. She could have a medical problem and really can't help it...

I wanted to add too that I used to have this pastor that would bang on the pulpit ..it appeared to emphasis something he was saying but I always suspected he did it to keep people awake through the sermon...lol. I sure miss him. He retired some years ago.

God bless

[lbeaty1981]

I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you. She may have just had a hard time sleeping the night before, and then laughed it off with you because she was a little embarrassed that it happened.

A few months back, we had a 3-day men's retreat that ended with us all going to church together Sunday morning. One of the guys and I had gotten wrapped up in a chess game the night before, so we ended up not getting to bed until around 2 am. The next day at church, our heads were both bobbing pretty badly as we tried to stay awake. A girl sitting next to us finally gave us each a piece of gum to help us stay focused!

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I know she doesn't want to come to church because she has told me that. In fact, last night before we left she asked me if she "had" to stay at church. I just told her that I would like for her to. I'm still hoping and praying that the Lord will touch her and change her.

The thing is our pastor is talking about changing the way we have Wednesday evening services to where we get into small groups and have discussions so we can draw from one another. We didn't get into groups last night though, but we did have some open dialog. I learned a lot from it, but I"m not sure if I'd like for these services to be like that regularly. I know my mom won't like coming to church if this happens.

[livingwaters]

Give it to the Lord...HE knows exactly what is going on!!!! Just simply tell her that you would like for her to be there...don't be ashamed of her!! God has a plan and most of the time it just requires our obedience...Amen

[beckisted2004]

Just pray for her. She's going to church and that's a big thing in and of itself! She may have been sleeping through part of the service, but maybe another part of the service taught her something or impacted her in some way.

I used to get embarrassed really easily (and still do, sometimes), but really...who cares what anyone else thinks? We're to please God and not man. I think God would be pleased with your mom for going to church and with you for showing your mother grace, patience, and forgiveness. What are you afraid is going to happen? That someone will mention it to you and call you a bad Christian? If that were to happen, you'd know it's not true and you'd have nothing to be ashamed of. You're a blessing for being with your mother and being able to fill her in on the things she missed later!

Just pray. Ask God how He'd have you respond. He always gives the best answers.