Back to Basics

Today was our first Sunday back in church. 

Things have changed in our lives.  France was impossibly difficult.  I feel as though I have been pummeled in an excruciating fight and am limping through the motions of life right now. 

Things have changed in our church as well.  Instead of a worship service in which the children are ushered out before the teaching and move into their own ministry program, a decision was made that children stay in the entire service to partake of the entire worship experience.  This is a decision that I tend to agree with but one that is difficult for my wiggly children.  This is a decision that is important to show that we come to worship God and not to get our individual needs met, but nevertheless, is one that can try my patience when my own spiritual condition is weary.

I don't know about you but when I was a child, I had to wait to take my first communion.  My parents wanted me to begin to understand the importance of the Eucharist.  I would watch as everyone ate the bread passed around and drank grape juice out of the tiny adorable little cups and grow very resentful that I couldn't participate.  When I finally was allowed to participate, I was so joyous.  I still couldn't comprehend the totality of the experience.  Yet, the mystery was always there.  I wanted to participate in this incredibly strange little meal. 

Because of the new service structure, the kids can now fully participate in communion, and it is encouraged in our church.  I never have prevented my children from taking the Eucharist because I believe it is one tangible hands on experience that they get to be a part of.  As their faith grows, they will begin to understand the complexity.  As they grow in intimacy in Christ, the meal will become more sacred.  But it will always be wrapped in some mystery.

In the meantime, I was reminded in their childlike innocence of the importance of the meal shared together.  Ian, bored in the middle of the sermon said, "Mom, when do we get to eat the bread?  When do we get to eat the bread?  When is that coming up!?"  A reminder to me that in the midst of everything there is an urgency in encountering the bread of life. 

Isabel marched up front with all of us when it was time and carried her bread back to her seat with her.  She nibbled on it in her seat, almost savoring the flavor.  A reminder to me to slow down and savor the life we have in Christ.

Immediately upon finishing Isabel said, "Oh mommy, I want more!  More, more, more!"   A reminder to me that upon tasting Jesus, we just want more.  We just need more.

Perhaps some would regard their immature faith as just that...immature.  But I choose to see their faith and their childlike condition as something that can teach me.  We can often lose ourselves in complicated theological positions and controversy and fail to see the very basics.

That is where I am right now as I return from France.  Back to basics.