(not) surprised

I went to a movie night at a coworker's church last Sunday.  He'd invited me a month or so ago (prefaced with, "I don't usually invite people to the ghetto") and he didn't respond to my text on Sunday when I tried to confirm (I realized the Grammy's were on and I might've mixed up my dates).  I'd committed, though, and since I couldn't get in touch with him I Google-mapped the church name and went out, hoping something would be happening when I got there. =)

And I'm glad I did.  I was the only white person there and I felt like I was with-- no, I was with family.

I showed up and was glad to see cars in the lot, but thought for a moment I might be in the wrong place when a woman said, "Hi!" and asked who invited me... and didn't know my friend.  She knew I'd been invited by someone, which I assumed was because she knew everyone else, but probably had more to do with the fact that I kinda stood out. =P

I made sure there was indeed a movie night happening (not wanting to walk empty-handed into a potluck or male into a women's Bible study on Song of Solomon) and went in.

I met a couple delightfully friendly people before hearing my buddy from across the sanctuary.  "Duuude!"  (When I think of this guy I hear that in my head every time - he kinda says it a lot.  A lot, a lot. =) He was surpriiised to see me.  He's got a new phone number so hadn't gotten my text (a text which funnily led to a text conversation with someone named Cathy later that night who now has my buddy's old number).  He wasn't counting on me being there.

The movie was Courageous, a Christian-made cop drama with a good message and production quality.  It's one of the better "Christian movies" I've seen and I recommend it.

There were little kids glued to the police action and parents with infants in their arms and grandparents and teenagers all laughing together and grimacing together and feeling together.  It was really fun.  The congregation discussed the movie afterward; people sharing their thoughts and favorite moments; raising questions, etc., which felt natural and enjoyable.  These people were honest and caring and willing to be vulnerable with each other like family (should be).  I could see and hear brokenness and hurt in the lives around me and in the ways they related to different aspects of the movie, but there was a real joy and hope at the same time!  I had such a good time.

I thought the evening was over when the pastor said, "Well, it's been a great night..." and I was ready to make the drive home, but then he was saying, "...so do we have any first time visitors tonight?"  Haha, it makes me chuckle to think about it cuz I swear everyone in there knew exactly who he was talking to.  Me.

I laughed and raised my hand and he "found me" in the crowd =P and said something like, "Wonderful!  So glad to to have you here with us! Stand up and tell us about yourself!  Who are you, where are you from, who do you know, what'd you think?!"  My buddy seemed a little embarrassed or something at me being "put on the spot", but I was strangely happy about it!  I already felt like hugging everyone.  I stood up (and a guy ran over with a mic =) and it felt so easy and free, talking to them, being a welcomed part of their family.  I thanked them all and said I'd be back again, which I will!

I met my buddy's mom (who happens to have very good taste in movies - she told him to watch Warrior and then he told me - so. good.) and shook hands and hugged and said goodnight to people like we'd known each other for years.

And as I drove home, truly refreshed and and delighted by God, looking forward to seeing all these people again, I wondered...

Why is the Body so disjointed?  Why am I so surprised to feel this love and friendship with other believers just cuz I didn't know them when I got up this morning?  I shouldn't be.

It says something, I think, about the condition of the church as a whole.  We let denominations and preferences in worship music and tradition and ritual and dress codes separate us from each other, from the Body.  We say we're all brothers and sisters and all part of a whole, but do we act like it?  Do you ever go to other churches?  Like, outside of your denomination?  Would your friends or leaders?  Would you... be "allowed" to?  Seriously, people go to churches across the street from each other and act as if the other doesn't exist.  You see churches interacting with and reaching out to the world, but do you see them interacting with each other?  Acting like they're family?  Like they're all children of the same Father (all "adopted")?  Isn't it possible that some kind of good could come from at least knowing some of our brothers and sisters?  Our fellow soldiers?