I have been house sitting for the past few days. Usually when you are in a new place sleep can be elusive or somewhat shallow. This has not been the case. I have been sleeping deeply and have not felt so rested for a while. Perhaps it is the massive black lab by my side; snoring so hard that he could suck the paint off the walls.
This morning was odd. I awoke to let him out to run just as the orange rays of sunlight broke through the gray, thick clouds. Half asleep and rubbing my eyes, I was stopped in my tracks at the sight. It was beautiful. Hank soon reminded me to snap out of it and open the door! I let him out and fell back to sleep.
About an hour later, the next thing I heard, woke me like a caress. Church bells, off in the distance. Easing the covers back I padded into the kitchen to start the coffee. Silence filled the house; which incidentally provides a great environment to think.
In the South, many people go to church; some do not. I started thinking about Easter Sunday and what that means to us. I have many friends that do not attend church. Yet, they pray as much as church goers do. They have shown me more stability and love than some religious folks. In moments of need and extreme pain it is those same people and my Christian friends that have provided the comfort and love that Christ asks us to. Some have been hurt by the church or should I say the people in it. Some people have work that does not permit regular attendance. Whatever their reason I think about the negativity they associate with the church. I started pondering how much of the aversion to church was contributed to God vs the people in the church. I am not hear to point fingers, fuss, spit, and snarl; enough of that has been done evidently. I just know what I have been told. Maybe it is time for us church goers to, once more, reexamine our hearts. Are we misjudging people? I can say that my heart has hurt for the last two years, even when I sit in church. This morning the church bells, brought a sense of peace that I can not explain. Not a word was spoken, the melody simply floated across the fields and filled a void in my soul I had not even identified. Sometimes the greatest thing we, as Christians, can offer the world is a melody with no words or opinions, like the church bells. After all, the best intentions, can still be words that are heard as "a resounding gong." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
My last parting thought... after a wonderful cup of coffee, I became completely conscious. :) I get that from my mother, "consciousness requires coffee." I started wondering what church was close by that may still have bells that ring on a schedule. It seems to be a sweet tradition that is becoming more rare these days. The closest church is a few miles down the way, but church bells do not play before 8 AM on a Saturday morning. Come to think of it, I have never heard them while visiting my friend at any time of the day. Sometimes the greatest gifts are undeserved and unexplained.
Tomorrow is Easter. Whatever your plans for the day are, I hope you spend a day filled with joy and you are wrapped in unexplained peace from God because He loves you. I am sorry if some of us church goers have stepped in between you and God intentionally or unintentonally with opinions and idle chatter. As always you are welcome visit with me and the family at our home church, no words or strings attached. Happy Easter!
