September 6 – “Somewhere in the middle”

But once again almost before they could tally up the specifics of their new neediness, welcoming gifts began to arrive.  Shelves for books yet to be replaced.  Then books.  A desk and chair in here.  A couch and chair in there.  A full bedroom for the Queen Mother.  A table with chairs for the family.  Slowly the essentials arrived.  And with each arrival the Queen smiled her knowing smile.  She hastened to express appreciation to the direct distributers of the goods, yet behind her smile and kind words she knew more.  She knew the ultimate source of all these things.  And she worshipped the Great One Who Rules Even Queens.  Sometimes silently.  Sometimes with her husband alone.  Sometimes at the gathering of others who knew Him and His works.    We had a great group at church yesterday.  Somebody counted 52 people.  We put out some extra chairs, but the whole front row was still open.  We're still trying to tweak this new room we're using to figure out the best way to get folks in there.  It's great to be a part of the new school building opening, and it's helping us see where we are space-wise.  Now all of us get to see what it's like for a visitor here for the very first time.  If God keeps bringing more people we'll be heading for wider spaces or doing two services or something.  Great problem.   But speaking of front rows being empty.  That's an interesting phenomenon in churches.  Kids don't mind sitting on the front row.  They love being right where the action is.  Teenagers will do it if they have to, but it definitely cramps their style.  It's much harder to hide your headphones right up in front.  Parents with preschoolers?  A few, maybe, who want to teach their kids to worship and the front row means the only thing they have to be distracted by is what's happening up front.  Most of that group wants to be somewhere near an exit for fast escapes when the attention span limit has reached its absolute breaking point.  Young couples in love want to keep it a secret that they are holding hands.  Most people, though, want to be as discreet as possible.  They don't want to be seen.  They have learned that to accomplish that goal means they can't sit on the very last row, either.  Too easily noticed by anyone heading to the bathroom or for coffee.  The prime seats are now just somewhere in the middle.  Not too close.  Not too far back.  Lost in the crowd.  Perfect.   I'm off to Bay City for my weekly visit with my wife.  I sure don't recommend these arrangements as a boon to marriage stability.  Our 35 years together and our faith have combined to make it possible.  I understand it.  But I don't have to like it.   Matthew 18:12-14 says, "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."   Father, forgive us for thinking we can get lost in the crowd around you.  You see.  Amen.