Church

Where two are more are gathered. It is easy to talk about God and church. I can work it into any conversation just by saying, " In church yesterday I heard an interesting idea...". People often open up about their church experience after that or ask more about mine. I enjoy the smiles and hugs. I enjoy the discussions and messages. What I love most is the music and singing. Who can live with out song and dance? What I don't like is that after years of teaching, organizing, giving, and helping as much as possible; I am left with feeling that I still have not done enough. Even worse, I feel that I do not matter to anyone. Oddly, I believe I heard the minister say the same thing in his message today. He spoke about the humble donkey who carried the great Savior. And now the pastor does much the same in carrying the great message. But who can love a donkey? They work and then stand isolated in the field. Cute but not cuddly, powerful but apprehensive. Jesus warns us that we will feel alone, and sometimes rejected. He did not warn us that we will actually feel jealous of those who seem connected and loved and welcomed. Though we all know one must be a friend to make a friend, we still can't always pick our friends. We might feel called by God, but never called by those with whom we try to build relationships. What is the barrier? I must be sending the wrong signals. It is so depressing sometimes that the Jonah effect is all that is left- the feeling that running away to start new will solve everything. So, donkeys of the world unite. Eat your humble pie, continue to do the work of love, knowing with all assurance that you will be filled and fulfilled if your heart and mind is open.