You get use to things. Things become old hat. I suppose that
is just life.
We drive in and out of Woodbury many times a week. Somewhere
along the way the beauty of the rolling hills became ordinary.
At the beginning of a school year, the pain of the 6 o’clock
alarm stings. By this time of year this household is in a groove of an early
morning routine.
We stand and recite the pledge of allegiance without a
stutter or stammer. Do we ever listen to
the words we are saying?
The list could keep going, couldn’t it.
Many of the things we become mundane to sadly occur in our
worship settings. What? Are you serious?
Yes. Come on, can’t you agree? Let me enlighten you…
Announcements that list the day’s and week’s activities, who
is or isn’t in the hospital, folks that need prayer, who wrote a thank you note
about what. And let’s be honest, if the reading of announcements at the
beginning of our services is omitted, quite a few feathers would be ruffled. It’s
just what we do.
Two songs, a prayer, and stand for another song. I continue
to search scripture for this ritual. And do we really listen to the words in
those songs? Or much like the above mentioned pledge, do we recite from rote.
The sermon is delivered…the invitation is given and we stand
and sing, again. Isn’t the invitation always given and open?
Then we have communion and giving. We are quiet, reserved, and
solemn.
We then end in song and prayer and we pack up and know we
will be back to do it all again next Sunday.
I am not saying any of this is wrong. What I am saying is
that at times, at least for me, it becomes a ritualistic routine. For this I am
ashamed.
This morning I got a big wakeup call from the smallest of
worshipers. I had been doing the normal Sunday Thomas family routine. Roll in a
bit late…we may be tardy but at least we make it. Find a seat on the far left
of the building. Sing, pray, stand, and sing more. Try to concentrate through
the sermon, while shushing, providing snacks and activities, and making a potty
break or two. Stand and sing again. Then focus as much as possible on the life
of the Christ as I commune with my brothers and sisters.
Another prayer is offered and all three of our kiddos rush
to find where they stashed their loot to give back to God. Jackson scrambles…”Mom,
I can’t find it!”, in a screaming whisper. This is a normal occurrence. Sadie,
our youngest, divides her money exactly in half and gives her big brother a
share. A thank you and a you’re welcome
are exchanged just before the offering plate begins to make its way down the
pew.
Pass, cling, pass,
cling, pass, cling. We don’t make
eye contact. We don’t smile as others contribute to the Work. We don’t look at
what others are putting in the plate. It’s a routine. It’s what we do. But not
this morning…not on our pew.
As I take the plate from the lady beside me, I remind
easily-distracted Sadie that it is time to give her money. She hurriedly picks
up her two dollar bills, her quarter, and then her nickel. One by one they hit
the plate…swoosh, swoosh, cling, cling.
In sheer delight she cheers “Yes!” ,smiles
and giggles, and then offers her father a high five.
“But this I say: He
who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will
also reap bountifully. So let each one of us give as he purposes in his heart,
not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians
9:6&7
Sadie was my wake up call. She spoke the Word to her mother
with little effort and with great joy and eagerness. We shouldn’t lay those
bills, coins, and checks at the feet of our Father each week with little
emotion. We should be overjoyed about the things that are going to be done all
in His name. We shouldn’t be prideful thinking about the great amount we just contributed.
We shouldn’t feel ashamed thinking that what we give isn’t enough. Our heart
should be happy and our giving should be a result of that.
Then I began to think…a cheerful giver. A cheerful giver of
money…could He also be speaking of time and energy. When someone needs help or
a listening ear, do I cheerfully give of myself? It is so easy to reach out a car window with
a few dollars or a bag of food and give it to the person holding a sign on a
curb. It’s much harder to stop and ask how they are feeling or say a prayer
with them or make them smile. When I notice a fellow sister seems down or overwhelmed,
I need to forgo my OCD and leave the dishes in the sink, leave the beds unmade,
or vacuum a bit later. When my child, or for that matter another child that
crosses my path, may need a little more attention, why wouldn’t I happily eat a
school lunch or sit in the back yard and blow bubbles?
All these things take a little more time, a little more
effort, a little more of myself than passing a plate and throwing in my tithe. That
type of giving is harder for me, needs to be more intentional, and is something
I pray at which I will become better. Some folks have a harder time loosening
the grip on their money. Their stomach
may tie in knots when they see the glistening reflections of those gold plates
on the ceiling of their sanctuaries each week.
Which is more of a sacrifice for you? Which pushes you to become a better person? Both
forms of giving are important…both require faith…both are commanded. Both
should be done with a smile on our face, but more importantly with wondrous joy
and extravagant love in our hearts. Maybe even with a quick cheer and a high
five.
