(Location: Heading back to Sighisoara for Christmas in a few hours; now it is about 7:20am on the 24th of December--Merry Christmas!)
"Not All There"
KJ looked around the room; they were not all there. No matter. They could go ahead and start; he knew people would trickle in for quite a while still. Certainly, it frustrated him sometimes, but what could he do about it? He had learned a long time ago that you cannot change other people. It is hard enough to change something about yourself!
The other six people were chatting quietly--or not so quietly in the case of Sean and Misty on his left. They laughed with shrieks and bellows, sharing a joke the others wished they had heard. Especially, Toni. Toni sat alone in the far corner of the room, trying to include herself in one of the conversations. Yet every time the moment seemed to welcome her debut, it passed quickly, before she was able to produce the right words. So she waited glumly, hoping someday she would be more at ease. She was unnoticed, however, by Charlotte, Christy, and Thom. Not loud, they spoke nevertheless with an intensity that made it difficult for an outsider to join them. At present, they discussed whether or not humanist social welfare tactics could or should be adopted by Christian charities.
KJ cleared his throat, now adept at interrupting. A few moments later, he relished the lull he had created, and then dove into it. "Let's begin with prayer, " he suggested as usual. "Who would like to open for us?"
Yes, it was a typical Bible study on a typical Wednesday night. They had been meeting together for four years, more or less. Occasionally a guest would visit, or someone would have to stop coming because of a change in work schedule, a move across town, or boredom. KJ tried everything he could to engage his peers, seeking topics relevant to their world, preparing in advance so he would be able to keep the discussion moving.
Charlotte had volunteered to pray, and a tired KJ found himself nodding off as her soft voice mouthed the words it had spoken dozens of times. "And please help us to..." He jerked his head up, having felt it drop into dreamland.
Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock! Who would be knocking at the door? The regulars knew to walk right in. He started toward the door, but Thom beat him there. Behind the door was a stranger, who introduced himself as "John."
Immediately, the clan jumped into rhythm. They gave a roll call of names, tagging them to who was married to whom, to the host of the house, to who drove the green convertible out front. In moments they had explained how the study proceeds, and they had even offered a cookie to their guest.
John smiled, feeling welcome. KJ knew what he was feeling. This was a good group of people. Not perfect, mind you, but good. They each had different gifts and interests, and they looked forward to meeting on Wednesday nights. They loved each other, and they helped out when someone needed a hand. They were generous when it came to people's needs, and they liked to see others smile. They made each other feel welcome, and they sharpened each other as they studied the Scriptures.
As they began reading from the Book of Matthew, someone peeked over to confirm that John knew it was in the Bible's New Testament. Misty was reading and did not miss a beat when the door opened; she was used to people arriving late. Tucker and his wife, Jen, settled in next to John with silent introductory smiles; KJ noted their arrival with a quick glance and kept following the reading. This 25th chapter of Matthew always intrigued him. The door swung again as Misty finished the passage, and Toni asked a question. No one seemed to have looked up, but they had recognized Peter, some saluting him discreetly or throwing him a wink.
Toni's question sent KJ flipping through his Bible, and Thom filled the gap with a philosophical answer that provoked a rebuttal from Christy. Soon the majority of the minds in the room traded ideas, some becoming passionate, others more methodical. The regulars were impressed by John's input, and time flew by quickly. During that half-hour Nancy had arrived, along with Ana. Paul slid in quietly, too, and grabbed some floor where he could sit. Sean brought him up to speed: "Matthew 7:21," he whispered.
KJ was pleased. Good attendance. Good discussion. Good application. Nancy had helped connect the Scripture text to a man several of them had seen on their way in, shivering in the late evening hours--real life application. Ah, this was the Church. KJ felt happy; he felt comfortable. Masterfully, he wrapped up the evening, guiding them into a special time of prayer. He asked them to make a special prayer effort, for each person in the room, for those unable to be there, for the homeless and the hungry, and for Bill, a man from their church who had landed himself in jail.
The group eagerly joined in prayer. KJ played some worship music quietly in the background. Tucker and Ana were gently pacing as they prayed standing up. Paul prayed fervently aloud; Charlotte prayed no less intensely, but silently. They poured themselves into the moment, and then a peace settled in the room. They continued to rest in prayer, a couple of them stretching out on the floor, Jen rocking a little in her seat, KJ with his face in his hands. Three or four people hummed or sang softly; a couple drummed their hands on the floor.
The door opened again, but no one paid any attention. They were caught up in their prayer; they were used to people coming and going. Their prayers swelled to a well-known praise song. They smiled with their eyes closed, forgetting themselves briefly. It did not matter that Sean's head was drooping on his chest, an untamed snore sneaking out here and there. They did not see Misty dance across the room with a peculiar look in her eye; except for Christy, who also walked out the door with peaceful steps. Peter, already outside, stood humbly before a homeless man whose stature suggested not inferiority, but royalty. No longer was He shivering, but He was smiling. He reached up and knocked again, but no one inside heard it. A grimace of regret flashed through His eyes as He turned, put His arms around His friends, and continued His prayer, His communion with them as they walked toward Forever, together.
Meanwhile, KJ drew the evening to a close, not surprised that a few persons had checked out early. He made a few announcements as Ana and Jen prepared some snacks. Sean asked Toni to clarify a couple of the prayer requests he had missed, and Nancy and Thom began brainstorming about practical ways they could help their community. Paul and John still had their Bibles open, talking about how the sixth verse of the Matthew 25 passage could relate to Matthew 24:36-41. As a couple of the older persons rose to retire early, KJ called out, "See you next week! Same time, same place!"
(This story was written in November and is about more than Christmas; it is to remind the Church always to be ready. But tomorrow we celebrate the coming of Jesus--this Christmas, don't miss Jesus when He comes!)
