Church

I wrote this piece 4 years ago. I didn’t know it would plant the seed of where my faith stands now.




I might not be the most spiritual or faithful believer. Some might even say I'm skeptic. Hell, I will admit that I feel as if most that attend church are complete hypocrites. But despite my skepticism and despite the hypocrisy that may or may not exist, when a church comes together and exists in unity, it is a beautiful thing.

I say this as I sit in church. Moments after the time of worship has ended, I sit here touched. Not by the harmonizing symphony of music, nor by impact from words any one has spoken.

I am touched by the fact that the church is a place that childishness can be restored. Not the whiny portions of annoying insolence but the best aspects of childhood.

The church is a place where grown men can cry. A place where grown women can go up to the front and dance like a child. The church that I attend is a place that restores freedom from the social script we all become accustomed to as we age.

Think about it, as you become older the customs and responsibilities are passed down to you. Such scripts become apparent at such an early age that it stunts the growth of who we truly are to become.

At the church I attend from time to time... Usually on communion Sunday, I stand as a simple bystander touched by the things I see.

There's a man speaking into the microphone, stumbling on his word but getting applause and a pat on the back for his bravery and courage.

They say context is important and it's the truth. Context destroys or enhances every situation. For example, a man walking down in the city street lights of Virginia Beach, with long sleeve dress shirt, would be considered absurdly disgusting. Take that same man and place him on a stage in the middle of a baseball field and suddenly he's a stud. Hypocrisy doesn't just exist in the church, it exists in us and our inability to understand the difference that context makes in or out of the church.

Essentially, the point I am trying to make is despite any belief of anyone out there, and despite my own skepticism, the church is a beautiful thing. The faith my mother has completely restored her life and her marriage and to be in any kind of disagreement towards what makes her thoroughly happy would be incredibly selfish of me.