I have never attended church on a regular basis.  I have sort have gone in streaks over the years and I suppose it’s partly due to the fact that going to church every Sunday wasn’t a part of my family’s routine when I was growing up.  I sometimes struggle a bit with setting aside that hour once a week when I may or may not be reached by the sermon.   I would be lying if I said my mind hasn’t wandered when it shouldn’t and I don’t believe attendance is what’s most important.  I believe living the Word is what’s important.  This isn’t the way a person should probably think but it’s honest and it’s how I feel.  I believe in God.  I believe in being kind, compassionate and trustworthy and I believe God’s presence in my life has shaped the person I’ve become.

I don’t remember a lot about the lessons covered before I was confirmed as a Methodist and I don’t remember everything I learned when I made a decision to become Catholic but I do have some rather fond memories of a particular priest in a neighboring town that delivered two sermons that will live forever in my heart.  Once you read what I recall, I think you’ll understand their impact on my life as well as on your own.

Fr. Evans welcomed us into his church every time we visited, with open arms.  He had a way of making people feel so special and I just happened to be one of those lucky people.  The first sermon I distinctly remember was the one when he shared a story about a man that felt the cross he was bearing was simply more than he could handle.  Jesus met up with the man sensing his pain and said, “Follow me.  Let’s see what we can do.”  The man was led into a large room filled with crosses that appeared to reach far into the sky.  It was a rather unusual building, no doubt, and it did almost seem as if it had no ceiling.  He was amazed by all the choices he had and he was quite happy that Jesus sensed his pain and that Jesus was willing to let him trade his large cross for one he felt he could better manage.  They spent quite a bit of time looking over the inventory and eventually they came across one that looked perfect.  The man told Jesus, “I think I’ve found the cross I want.”  It was then Jesus replied, “That’s the one you had with you when you arrived.”

It’s pretty easy to convince ourselves that everyone else has life so much easier than we do.  I have times when I love to feel sorry for myself.  I get frustrated, anxious and just plain sad at times but God is always there for me.  I struggled with thoughts as to whether He could forgive me for divorcing but I feel in my heart that He has.  I still ask Him from time to time if it’s okay to be happy and He always sends a rather warm feeling directly to my heart which tells me He is very okay with that idea.

The second sermon that moved me in a very big way was the morning Fr. Evans brought a small wood door to church with him.  His sermon was about baggage and how unnecessary it is.   It was then he leaned over and took hold of two rather large bags.  With the bags in his outstretched arms he stood behind the door in an effort to show us just how much of him wasn’t going to fit through the opening that door was going to offer.  He used those visuals to help us understand just how important forgiveness and letting go of all the baggage we carry with us really is.  I am pretty sure you can think of someone you would have a hard time saying something nice about.  We all have experiences in life that hurt us and damage a part of our heart that is not easily mended but I honestly believe there’s a rather substantial amount of peace waiting on the other side of that door labeled “Forgiveness.”