Today Dear will not be joining us at our church.  He is visiting another Christian service.  He is specifically going to the church for a special service… (one that I hope we will have some day.)  Dear’s roommate from college and his wife had a child a few weeks ago.  Today they are having the baby girl dedicated.

So Dear’s visit to another church got me thinking.  I have never been a member of another denomination much less frequented their services.  Well, there was a time when I was a kid I went to my uncle’s catholic church quite often.  I was probably between the ages of 11 to 13 during the visits and its funny what my young brain remembers about those services and what it made me know:

1. “It’s too quiet,” me to my cousin.

2. Learn the words to the Chant or Anthem if you plan on participating.  It would be even nice if the administrators had the words written to pass out to visitors (or members who don’t quite know them yet) as they come in for the service.  In my opinion, sitting for any length of time without being able to participate is boring, subjects you to people watch, and defeats the purpose of having visitors who are truly seeking a church home.

Lesson: Do not stay over my cousin’s house when we have to go to church with her dad… even if they do get out of services earlier than we do.

3. “Don’t drink after him,” my mother says as I grab the same cup that my friend just used.

I proceed to wipe the cup with my sleeve and my mother takes it from me.

“Why?” I respond.

“That’s nasty.  You don’t know where his mouth has been,” she shoots to me.

“Ok.”

So imagine the look on my face when I get to participate in the communion portion of the service at my uncle’s church.  I was somewhat excited that we as kids were allowed to participate.  I am extremely excited partly because I am hungry, I haven’t been able to participate thus far in the services, and the drink is wine!  Then I notice that we have to drink after each other and I remember that previous occasion with my friend and my mom.  Bummer!  I’ll pass.

Lesson: If I do somehow end up back in service here, do not participate in communion.  Sharing the same drinking vessel is bound to spread germs!

Nonetheless that is about the only recollection I have of church services of a different denomination.  I do sometimes ponder though what my life would be like had I not had the religious experiences of our church.  Would I be less grateful?  Would I not believe that God is the author and finisher of my faith?  Would I still worship and praise him with all that I have?  Would I still thank him daily for breath, life, and his blessings bestowed upon me?  Would I love my parents more or less for those experiences?  Of course, I will never know since I cannot change history.

This I do know.  I thank Jesus everyday for who he is and how he has blessed me in my everyday life… and knowing what I know… I wouldn’t change a thing.

I love you mom!  I love you Dad!