A Skunk's Story

Last night, my family and I decided to go with some friends to a drive-in movie. It was a double feature. We made the long journey to Watertown and the first movie, Ice Age 3 began at 8:45pm. This was an amazing feat in and of itself since our kids (and often Tara and me) are usually in bed by then or shortly after, and Elijah is usually in bed at least an hour before that time. Anyway, it was a good movie, the environment was very family-oriented. We were having a great time.

After the first movie, Tara wasn't feeling well so she compelled me to go ahead and leave. The girls wanted to stay, so we let them stay with our friends. SO Tara, myself, Josiah and Elijah headed home at about 11:00pm. From what I hear, we missed some good entertainment.

The second movie was Night in the Museum 2. I'm sure it was a great movie, but the entertainment went way beyond the movie. Just a little into the movie, a couple of skunks decided to invade dozens of peoples' family times. There was screaming, panic, people jumping into their mini vans and pick-up trucks. At this point, people weren't watching the movie, but were looking for those two almost glow-in-the-dark white stripes to come their way.

Believe it or not, I have two conclusions I draw from this humorous event for our church.

1) We never know who will show up.
I doubt if anyone of the several hundreds of people at the drive-in last night expected and planned for skunks. Blankets were abandoned, popcorn and snack foods were left as booty for the skunks' successful invasion, and few were able to continue enjoying the film.
In a similar fashion, we don't know who will show up on our Sunday morning worship services. That is why it is so important for us as a church family to show up with eyes open and hearts ready. As we grow, more and more people will be coming from various backgrounds, with different attitudes and outlooks on life. We must not run for cover, but embrace them, love them, welcome them! That is each individual's member calling and privilege to show God's love to those who so desperately need it.

2) When you are absent, you miss out. I am so frustrated that I missed that hilarious episode by just a few minutes. I don't regret leaving since Tara was ill, but I sure would have loved to have been there. Again, whenever we miss a gathering of worshipers at church, we have no idea what we will miss. We could be missing out on a 1) special word from God, 2) an opportunity to help someone, 3) a testimony, 4) a baptism or salvation, 5) a new friend. When we miss, we miss out.
And, you know, like those skunks, that would sure stink!