I'm thinking a lot about Community tonight. This morning on the way to a worship service at a Big Church in a nearby Big City I saw something brand new.
The hills of Iowa are as filled with motorcycles as they are with tractors in our fair weather months. I was driving behind two motorcycles, each with two riders. As a pack of 4 approaching motorcycles passed, I saw each person on each motorcycle stretch their arms out to a 45 degree angle, fingers pointing to toward the yellow center line on road.
A greeting.
Such a simple gesture, but I was flabbergasted. My heart leaped. Tears sprang to my eyes. For several moments I could only tip my head to the side in wonder at what I'd just witnessed.
Here was a silent symbol of welcome. Of recognition. Of community. A super-secret, no-contact handshake. Likely, these riders have never run across each other before, likely never again. Yet the act of welcome and community is important. Who first thought up this sign of welcome? Does every cyclist on the planet know this welcome code?
I wanted to belong to this club. I wanted IN. I wanted to be seen and recognized and welcomed.
I followed along behind these lovely riders all the way into Big City. My heart traveled with them. My prayers, too.
Later, as I sat in the very front pew of Big City Church with my very wiggly son I felt left out. Excluded. Not welcomed. Tears filled my eyes here, too, but not for the same reasons.
I'm not sure exactly why this was my experience. I am pondering it. Lots of ideas are floating through my active and analytical mind. But nothing is yet blog-worthy. I'll keep you posted.
Question of the day: What was your last visit to church like?