From Pastor Lee
November 4, 2024
IN CHURCH THE OTHER SUNDAY..
I have a clipping I saved from years ago which came from a newsletter of another church. It is probably over 25 years ago, but I saved it because I thought it was good enough to cut out and save so that I could share it. Below is the clipping.
In church the other Sunday, I was intent on a small child wo was turning around smiling at everyone. He wasn’t gurgling, spitting, humming, kicking, tearing the hymnals, or rummaging through his mother’s handbag. He was just smiling.
Finally, his mother jerked him about and in a stage whisper that could be heard in a little theatre off Broadway said, “Stop that grinning! You’re in church!” With that, she gave him a belt on the behind and as the tears rolled down his cheeks, added, “That’s better” and returned to her prayers.
What must children think? We sing, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” while our faces reflect the sadness of one who has just buried a rich aunt who left everything to her pregnant hamster. We chant, “If I have not love, I am become a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.” Translated in the parking lot, it comes out, “And the same to you, fellow!”
Suddenly, I was angry. It occurred to me that the entire world is in tears, and if you’re not, you’d better get with it. I wanted to grab this child with the tear-stained face and tell him about my God. The happy God. The loving God. The God with a sense of humor to have created the likes of us. I wanted to tell him He is an understanding God, one who understands little children who pick their noses in church because they’re bored. God understands the man in the parking lot who reads his paper while his wife is in church. God even understands my shallow prayers that implore, “If you can’t make me thin, then make my friends look fat.” I wanted to tell him I’ve taken a few lumps from daring to smile in church.
By tradition one wears faith with the solemnity of a mourner, the gravity of a mask of tragedy, and the dedication of a Rotary badge. What a fool, I thought. Here’s a woman sitting next to the only light left in our civilization, the only hope, a miracle. If he can’t smile in church, where is there to go?
See you Sunday in the Father’s house! Love, Pastor Lee
