It's been awhile...

...was probably what our Pastor (as well as most of the church congregation) was thinking when Hubby and I walked into service this morning. I could give a million excuses why we haven't been in months (we're crazy busy, we're exhausted, we're just not sure what good praying for something that still hasn't happened is...ya know...the usual). However, I believe my Gram can sum it up nicely:

"It's just not the Christian thing to do..." (haha...if I had a penny for everytime she's given me that line!)

So we dutifully got ourselves up, showered, and dressed in our Sunday best...picked Gram up on the way...and sat in our seats just as the service was beginning. Almost immediately we got our first sign that "He" noticed our presence. (I say this somewhat sarcastically...somewhat lightheartedly...'cuz if ya don't laugh...then you really gotta wonder!) Our church is constantly working with the local food pantry and every once in awhile the kids put little reminders in the weekly bulletins; telling us what items the food pantry is in need of. No big deal, right?

So as we sit down, Hubby immediately nudges me and holds up a butterfly cut-out that one of the kids had colored. Cute. Then he flips it over. In big black letters it say "Baby Food". Hmmm interesting. Ok, so the food pantry is looking for baby food. A few minutes go by and I flip through my bulletin. Inside mine is another cut-out. What does it say? You guessed it... Baby Food. Ok, so I'm now literally laughing to myself thinking, "Really? Ok, I get the hint! I haven't been here in awhile...but you don't need to prove that you know all about what's going on!"

It wasn't until later in the service, when Gram nudged me (with a smirk on her face) and showed me her cut-out, that I totally lost it. Yup...you guessed it. Baby Food. It took every ounce of my energy not to start hysterically laughing during the service. At this point Gram whispers, "Maybe you should listen...buy some darn baby food for the food pantry!"

On the way home we had a good laugh about it. Those that know me know that I'm not uber religious. Yes, I was raised in this church; going almost every sunday with Gram. I do (for the most part) believe in a "higher power". But most importantly, I really believe that things do happen for a reason and that you're given "signs" along the way. Maybe to let you know you're on the right path?

I'm not sure what our "path" is...but I do know that sitting in church this morning I felt calmer than I have in weeks. I know that I'm sick of being angry at the world one minute and putting on the happy face the next. I genuinely want to enjoy our journey...whatever it is.

So whoever sent us our sign this morning...point taken. We will be going to Costco this week and buying jumbo packs of baby food for the food pantry. Then we will patiently wait in our pew every Sunday for our next sign. Maybe next time ya don't have to be so obvious!