Sharing And Caring
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Henry hated Arnold. Arnold was always bossing everyone around, arguing, and pointing his little finger when giving orders. Henry was so fed up with it he thought he'd choke Arnold.
Such were Henry's thoughts as he climbed the steps of the church. Hardly a Christian attitude, he thought. Hardly worthy of Christ's love. Henry had thought so long and hard about all of Arnold's faults, he could rattle them off without hesitation. And often he did to his wife, Kitty. But Kitty would just smile and return to her work after Henry's tirade.
Henry didn't dare share his thoughts with anyone in the church. Arnold was a fourth generation member, a member of council, past president of every committee, and a faithful Sunday school teacher, even at 79. Henry would be laughed at, he was sure, if he voiced his complaints to anyone.
The church bells rang and Henry felt his heart pound at the surprisingly loud sound they made. He was so startled he sat for a moment at the top step. No one was around to see him and he leaned his back against the cool rail. He hoped Kitty was having a nice time at the conference, but he was eager to have her back. He always missed her when she was gone. He stared out at the field across the street. The sun was bright in the sky.
Henry was only a first generation member here. He had moved here for a job and met Kitty. They were married shortly after and now it was already thirty years ago. Time seemed to have flown by as they watched their three children become parents themselves. The "grands" were all little and Henry couldn't wait to see them every spring and fall. He could never get enough of them when they were together.
It felt good to sit for a while. Henry supposed he was missing the announcements, but that wasn't important. It was nice to feel the sun on his face and feel the coolness of the rail. His mind wandered to the countless events that had taken place at this church: their wedding; the children's baptisms, confirmations, recitals, plays, their weddings; and finally the grandchildren's baptisms. He loved this church and he was proud of it.
Lost in thought, Henry didn't even notice that Arnold was sitting quietly next to him. "You looked so peaceful, I thought I better catch some of that spirit from you, Henry. Do you mind if I sit with you for a while?" What could Henry say? These weren't his steps!
Arnold was in a chatty mood. He shared with Henry all the church meant to him. He asked if Henry even knew they had thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. So many to keep track of, Arnold said!
Arnold told Henry of the countless events that had happened at this church: his wedding to his late wife 54 years ago, their children's baptisms, confirmations, church plays, potlucks, and celebrations. Arnold became silent as he considered all the things that had taken place here.
"I get a little protective of this place, you know. I'm just so worried that people won't love it enough. It's silly, but I want this church to be loved way after my great-grandchildren are gone. It's meant so much to me. Can you understand that?"
Henry continued to stare out at the horizon. He understood. He had had those same thoughts sitting there. Henry smiled at Arnold. "If we go in now, do you think we'll still be able to catch the sermon?" They smiled as they got up and entered the church together.
Such were Henry's thoughts as he climbed the steps of the church. Hardly a Christian attitude, he thought. Hardly worthy of Christ's love. Henry had thought so long and hard about all of Arnold's faults, he could rattle them off without hesitation. And often he did to his wife, Kitty. But Kitty would just smile and return to her work after Henry's tirade.
Henry didn't dare share his thoughts with anyone in the church. Arnold was a fourth generation member, a member of council, past president of every committee, and a faithful Sunday school teacher, even at 79. Henry would be laughed at, he was sure, if he voiced his complaints to anyone.
The church bells rang and Henry felt his heart pound at the surprisingly loud sound they made. He was so startled he sat for a moment at the top step. No one was around to see him and he leaned his back against the cool rail. He hoped Kitty was having a nice time at the conference, but he was eager to have her back. He always missed her when she was gone. He stared out at the field across the street. The sun was bright in the sky.
Henry was only a first generation member here. He had moved here for a job and met Kitty. They were married shortly after and now it was already thirty years ago. Time seemed to have flown by as they watched their three children become parents themselves. The "grands" were all little and Henry couldn't wait to see them every spring and fall. He could never get enough of them when they were together.
It felt good to sit for a while. Henry supposed he was missing the announcements, but that wasn't important. It was nice to feel the sun on his face and feel the coolness of the rail. His mind wandered to the countless events that had taken place at this church: their wedding; the children's baptisms, confirmations, recitals, plays, their weddings; and finally the grandchildren's baptisms. He loved this church and he was proud of it.
Lost in thought, Henry didn't even notice that Arnold was sitting quietly next to him. "You looked so peaceful, I thought I better catch some of that spirit from you, Henry. Do you mind if I sit with you for a while?" What could Henry say? These weren't his steps!
Arnold was in a chatty mood. He shared with Henry all the church meant to him. He asked if Henry even knew they had thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. So many to keep track of, Arnold said!
Arnold told Henry of the countless events that had happened at this church: his wedding to his late wife 54 years ago, their children's baptisms, confirmations, church plays, potlucks, and celebrations. Arnold became silent as he considered all the things that had taken place here.
"I get a little protective of this place, you know. I'm just so worried that people won't love it enough. It's silly, but I want this church to be loved way after my great-grandchildren are gone. It's meant so much to me. Can you understand that?"
Henry continued to stare out at the horizon. He understood. He had had those same thoughts sitting there. Henry smiled at Arnold. "If we go in now, do you think we'll still be able to catch the sermon?" They smiled as they got up and entered the church together.
