The Rattle In My Purse

Sometimes I feel like my Christian walk can become very routine.  Each Sunday I walk into church, sit in the same seat, sing the same songs, pray, fill in sermon notes and go home.  Seven days later, I return to church and repeat the process.  Can you relate to this?

On one particular Sunday my perspective changed.  Let me explain. On the first Sunday of the month, our church shares in the sacrament of communion.  Our pastor began reading from the scriptures recalling the last few days of Christ's life.  I was suddenly overcome with emotion.  What was happening?  I have been taking communion for years, but never felt this type of conviction and sadness for what Jesus did for us.  I began to weep and I felt this overwhelming gratitude for His sacrifice.  My mind then went to the women at ACCESS homeless shelter.  I felt guilty that I had the freedom to worship freely and openly while their lives remained in limbo.  Being without a permanent home affects more than just one's day to day life.  You can't worship in a sanctuary if you have no transportation.  You can't enjoy fellowship with other believers if you are not able to attend services.  I then began to think of the many people around the world who are not able to enjoy religious freedoms due to their circumstances.

When the ushers came around to gather our empty communion cups...I kept mine.  I needed a reminder of what happened today.  I needed a reminder to pray for those less fortunate.  I took the communion cup and placed it in my purse.  Each month when communion came around, I did the same thing.  Fast forward four months.  I was caught up in the busyness of my day and was fumbling in my purse in search of a pen.  In my blind search for something to write with, I heard a rattle in my purse. My fingers had stumbled across the four empty communion cups in my purse.  I pulled out the cups and allowed myself to go back to that special Sunday morning.  Suddenly my busyness seemed trite and unimportant.

As we enter the Lenten season, find something that will remind you to be thankful for Christ's sacrifice and to pray for those that are less fortunate.


He is Risen!

Joy

photo credits:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/25793589@N03/4392723623/