As is often the case, there was a family with a baby at the church we went to this morning. Then, at the restaurant we went to for lunch, there was another baby wielding family. I’ve always loved babies & kids in general, but as I was watching these families today I came to the realization that babies, although sometimes cute & cuddly, are very selfish. Its always, “Waa, waa, waa. Now, now, now. Mine, mine, mine. Me, me, me.” Its like they have no consideration for other people.
The family at lunch was having a perfectly good time talking amongst themselves & going about their business. All of the sudden the baby starts crying like his hair’s on fire. What was the problem? Who knows?! The baby was too selfish to even use words. He was like, “Boo hoo. Waa, waa.” & then his mom was all like, “Ohh baby, what’s the matter baby? Is mommy’s little boy upset? (Duh!) What’s wrong with my wittle man?” Then the baby goes, “Mwabawabadoo. Waa, waa. Boo hoo. Mwabawabadoo. Waa.” As if that helped the mom do anything except miss 5 minutes of the conversation. So selfish!
Another example; this morning the worship leader was bringing us before the throne in prayer. He was really hitting his stride & was leaning into the 17th thing on a list of things that “we just” need, when this baby decided it “just” wanted some juice. The baby was all like, “Prayer or not, I want some juice, & I better get it right now or else…” Then it started wailing right in the middle of this prayer. Now, I know that many of my close personal friends have recently participated in the process known as “procreation” or “reproduction.” They have lovely children & are sure to be wonderful parents. I wish them nothing but the best. Please continue sending me cute pictures & telling me funny stories about your children, but I better not ever hear you try to use the word “selfless” to describe your baby because babies are selfish & I’ll not listen to anyone saying otherwise.
If you’d like to see the fabulous pictures that our photographer Keith Pitts took at our wedding just click the link & enjoy! Obviously, I think the ones of my nieces are the cutest, but they are all wonderful. Sam & Brooklynne- June 7th, 2008
So, enough with the frivolous updates already. Don’t worry Mom, they’ll continue, but I feel I might be slighting some readers who either a) don’t know me that well, or b) don’t really care to hear all the details of my personal life.
Obviously, with a new family & new location Brooklynne & I are beginning the process of looking for a community of Christians to join. I have thought a good deal about church in my lifetime. I’ve thought & complained about what’s wrong with church. I’ve rejoiced in the good that I’ve seen in church & as a result of church. All that stuff is great & all, but the fact is that for 26 years I was very blessed to attend an excellent church. It wasn’t perfect & I’ve had my share of gripes about how things were operated at times. But at its core it was a group of Christians who actively loved the Lord, their neighbors, my family, & me. Those last 2 in particular are no easy task & they speak to the caliber of people who attend there.
My point is that it was easy to be very idealistic & nit picky with my critiques of church when I was attending Little Rock Church. Now I find my self in a situation where the proverbial “rubber” meets the road, & Brooklynne & I must decide what the most important criteria should be when looking for a community to join. We don’t want to treat this like shopping at the mall by looking for the place that gives us the best deal or meets our needs in some way or another, but we do have to have some idea of what we’re looking for. I have my own ideas about what that is, but I want to get input from you guys about what your criteria/priority list would look like when visiting potential churches to join.
What, in your opinion, are the most important things to look for in churches?
Published at June 18, 2008
in Fun and Humor.
Within a week of my arrival in Boston, the Celtics win an NBA championship. Coincidence?
Absolutely.
