I am participating in the 31 Days of Free Writes October challenge. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. (Confession: I *may* not be able to resist spell-checking!)
Today’s prompt: WORSHIP
I have been thinking ahead to today’s prompt for the week or so that I knew it was the day one prompt for this challenge.
Mainly, I will admit I was looking ahead to it because I was going to force myself to stop making excuses to worship.
I had an idea of going to 8 am services at Holy Comforter (my home church) this morning, but the 3 am bedtime after last nights’ fun wedding festivities put a crimp into that plan.
Instead, I went to the 5:30 service at St. John’s, another Episcopal church I attend sometimes.
It was important to me to go to a HOUSE of worship, because I have been letting attendance slip to a low place on my Sunday priority lists, below blogging, my freelance worklife (some of which involves work on Sundays), and many other things.
I know people say you can “have a worshipful experience in nature,” and I agree.
However, there is something powerful about forcing yourself to prepare. Forcing yourself to SIT. Forcing yourself to be with other believers and taking part in the community. Mother Abi’s message was about “Crockpot Christians.” I can’t summarize in one five minute blog post, but essentially, the point was that taking ordinary ingredients, and applying time along with intention can turn those ordinary ingredients into the divine.
I needed the reminder to see the divine in the ordinary, to remember to trust, to recognize in the areas of my life that seem totally unrelated to one another that there is a plan.
Worship is a way of letting those ordinary ingredients coalesce into something divine. For my approach to spirituality, worship is a way to blend all the areas of my life that occurred that week, let them simmer, and taste the beautiful outcome.
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
THIS: ” I needed the reminder to see the divine in the ordinary, to remember to trust, to recognize in the areas of my life that seem totally unrelated to one another that there is a plan.”
It was such a powerful message, Tara. I love Mtr. Abi’s homilies — I went in prepared to whatever was in the message today (because I figured I needed whatever it was!), but this was definitely sorely needed wisdom.
Oh goodness, this prompt is an interesting one for me right now as I went to holiday services this weekend for the first time in years.
And you always find the most incredible things across our internet. <3 you for sharing.
I'm also itching to know more about "crockpot Christians".
Thank you for your comment. I am so glad I spent that 45 minutes in that way yesterday.
You certainly captured the topic well! I love going to services singing the ancient songs, the rituals and being a part of something bigger than just me.
That’s exactly it. I also am reminded that I paid attention better (and took notes) because I knew I planned to write about the homily. A reminder that even a sliver of extra attention can go a long way to getting something out of a worship experience.
Wonderful post, Paula. Thank you for the reminder that worship is an opportunity to acknowledge and honor God who holds our lives securely in his hands. One of my favorite quotes is, “Never be afraid to trust the unknown future to a known God.” That is the God worthy of my worship.
Such a fitting quote, Jane. Thank you for stopping by. <3