Several Sundays ago, I walked into the church sanctuary and saw people sitting in my row and the row behind mine. I call it my row, because it’s where I sit every Sunday. They weren’t sitting in my exact spot, but they were in my row. So I kindly asked them if the seats were taken, and they said yes. I moved one row up and sat down. They must be visitors, I thought. I had never seen any of the people sitting in those two rows, so I wasn’t sure what was going on. They seemed to know each other, because they were chatting away.
As the sanctuary began to fill up, I noticed the family who usually sits behind me was sitting across the aisle. Since no specific family sits in the row in front of me each week, I wasn’t sure who would be misplaced there. But the very tall family who usually sits two rows in front of me sat right in front of me on this particular Sunday. They’re giants. And I couldn’t see a thing.
I noticed other people being displaced to other seats that morning, as well. I bet they were wondering the same thing as me. Why is everyone sitting in the wrong seat this morning? Who are those strangers taking up two rows? Are they going to be here next week, too? Is this our new normal?
When it was time to greet people around us, I turned around and shook the stranger’s hands. I had no hard feelings, but I hoped they didn’t ask if they were in my seat. I wasn’t sure how I could say yes without being cynical. So much for being a gracious Christian.
Oh. I hadn’t planned to say anything to these strangers about the fact that they were sitting in my row. But I was thinking it, and I knew I was wrong. I wouldn’t say I had a bad attitude, but I was borderline.
At the end of the service, the pastor announced a baby dedication. Sure enough. These two rows of people were with the new parents whose baby was being dedicated. I must say I breathed a sigh of relief.
Ever since that Sunday, I’ve realized that a few families have intentionally moved from their usual seats. And I’ve wondered why. There’s no rhyme or reason for it that I can tell. Oh. Some of these families arrive just after the service starts, so they don’t always have a prime choice. But they’re now choosing to sit in a different section altogether. I don’t understand. What made them switch?
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
And this past Sunday, I’m not sure what was happening. Several people were sitting in rows they don’t normally sit in. Once again, I’m stumped. Because when one family sits in the wrong row, it’s a domino effect. Several other families and rows are impacted. It could get ugly, but I’ve never seen that happen.
Oh. I know these are trivial matters in the whole scheme of things. But sometimes it takes only one small change to throw someone into a very difficult mood. Even in church, these things happen.
But then again. My mind goes back to eleven months ago when I walked into that church for the first time. I knew that wherever I sat, someone was probably going to be displaced. Because we know that everyone has their special seat. And I’ve continued to sit in the same general area every Sunday. I’ve noticed that one couple who had initially sat a row or two in front of me now sit across the aisle. I’ve wondered on occasion if I’ve displaced them permanently. I’ll probably never know. She did introduce herself to me early on, but she hasn’t spoken to me since. Even when I ran into her at the garden center months later, she didn’t acknowledge me. Most likely, she didn’t recognize me. That’s what I tell myself.
Sometimes we just make mountains out of molehills. There’s nothing to worry about, but we catch ourselves stewing about what we say is nothing. But that’s not really what we’re thinking. And we allow that nothing to simmer until it’s something big in our minds. And we just can’t seem to let it go.
Why do we adults act like kids? Why don’t we just move on when we say we’re “fine” but we really aren’t? Life could be so much simpler if we didn’t let the little things become so big. Our hearts just aren’t in the right place. And we take things way too personally. Let’s act like adults. And if we call ourselves Christians, let’s overlook the small stuff and pay attention to the really important things. Life doesn’t have to be as difficult and awkward as we make it.
And, I have to be honest. As a woman, I notice this mainly in women. Myself included. I don’t see men getting bent out of shape about someone sitting in their seat in church. I don’t hear men complaining about someone ignoring them at the garden center. We women can be really petty and pretend to be godly at the same time. Don’t think I’m pointing the finger at you. I’m preaching to myself when I say this.
Ugh. Heaven sure looks sweeter all the time. At least I won’t be faced with these trivial matters once I get there.
Mercy for the Day 