It was two Sundays ago, and we had a great service that morning. I mean the spirit was so thick that I had snot from ear to ear starting with the opening hymn; and when Nancy Jo got up to sing her special I was squawling like a two year old with a plate full of broccoli. Even Pastor was in rare form and delivered a message that would bring a snake to redemption.

Now, fast forward one week later. I awoke early, eager to head off to church and re-visit that same warm feeling with my God. But this Sunday was already headed down-hill long before we ever even got out of the house.

Let’s see if I can re-cap… Chase couldn’t find his “Cars” underwear (he likes to wear those to church every Sunday) and it turned out they won’t washed yet. So we finally got that straight and left the house about 20 minutes late.

On the way, we stopped off at the convenience store to pick up some scotch tape and chewin gum. The clerk was gracious enough to point out that my shoes didn’t match. Yep, you guessed it… two penny loafers; one brown and one black! Well, I was 15 minutes away from home and 5 minutes away from church…and gas is $3.55 a gallon. I choose to stay the course.

I seen Billy ray and Kathy on the side of the road changing a tire and I knew I couldn’t just blow by them; so I slowed down, blew the horn, and gave them a big wave. They are good friends.

Anyway, we get to church only to learn of the “snappin’ turtle incident” out front of the church. I soon learned that an injured snappin’ turtle causes traumatic emotional distress among small children and lady-folk. Nobody appreciated my offerin’ to help cause they was thinking about a vet and I was thinking about soup.

Long story a little shorter, the Pastor was on vacation, the music wasn’t up to par, and I just didn’t get much out of the whole thing. My enthusiasm for church had turned into a big ole let-down. I left there quite disappointed to say the least.

Then during lunch, pondering the day’s events over a big ole plate of mac-n-cheese, I had a breakthrough of sorts. Let me explain…

I realized that the same God that tugged on my heart-strings two Sundays ago was no less God last Sunday. God was, is, and always will be the same. The only things that change are me and my circumstances. Even though I don’t always feel Him, I can rest assured that He is there.

God’s presence is not affected by snappin turtles and lost underwear; we are the ones who are affected. Last Sunday I let these circumstances get between me and my God; He was present but I was too distracted to realize it. It won’t happen next Sunday!

Love to all,

Rich