Wednesday, January 27, 2016

If I were to present a communion thought....

If I were to present a communion thought.....

I would describe this one time when Mark and I visited an Episcopal church in Paducah for the first time with our kids . I would tell how different their worship service was from the typical worship services Mark and I grew up participating in. I would also mention how my children seemed to be the only children in the congregation that morning. Their voices were echoing throughout the sanctuary like the little stinkers each had their own personal microphone. The acoustics in that beautiful church was so freaking awesome and my kids took full advantage of this with their 'secret microphones.' Not our best worship behavior. The worship service included several songs(more like chants), congregational scripture readings, more songs, blessings to one another, a children's sermon smack dab in the middle of the service, an adult sermon and communion (the Eucharist).

As I continue my communion thought....

I would spend a few minutes talking about how this church went about the Eucharist. Each of us got in a single file line and walked up to the front of the sanctuary. There were two benches where people were to kneel. Someone in a robe was then to hand you a broken piece of bread and would dip it in some whine before putting into each of our mouths. I looked down at each of the members of my family who assumed the same position I did. On my knees, looking up, hands cupped together. Unprotected,vulnerable, empty. Ready to receive. I looked down and see my 6 year old son, 3 year old son, and 1 1/2 year old toddler in the same vulnerable positions. We received Christ's body broken, and the cup of salvation and hope. We raised up to our feet and walked back to our seats. Ever since that experience, I never participate in the Lord's Supper without thinking of that morning. That vulnerable, exposed position as I looked up to receive this gift of life and hope. What is it about this position that was so....well, frankly a little humiliating. After all, I can get the cracker myself. I can drink from a cup myself. I can sit in a pew and pass the tray down. I can think stuff in my own head while I do that. I was comfortable and familiar with that process. But, there was something about physically kneeling down, just like a child, with my hands open ready to receive. With those physical motions, something clicked mentally. I guess it is because I have to admit that I am powerless, I don't have all the right answers, I can't just pull myself up by my own bootstraps, and I may even be needy and hungry. Maybe. At this point, all I have to do is sit, receive and say thank you.

So I would conclude my communion thoughts with this...

Let's try something new today. Let's all (if you are able), get down on our knees as we commune together. As you are handed this gift of love and grace at Jesus's table, just say Thank you. Grace and peace to you as we all receive together Christ's body broken for us and his blood, the cup of salvation. Humiliated, exposed, unprotected, empty. Hungry.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Eden is 2!

I am little behind on this post but better late than never!

Our sweet girl is 2 years old! We are so excited and love this little girls personality so much! Talking up a storm and is such a mamas girl. She is a sweet, snuggly, egg loving little girl!