Invite to Church

My parents came to my church for the first time. They had visited a few times to our church in California but this past Sunday was the first time they attended our church in Arizona since we moved here two years ago. Usually when they visit, from Las Vegas where they reside, they will leave before Sunday and have not expressed interest in coming to our church before. And if you’re wondering, yes, of course we always invite them.

Well, Sunday was the big day. I had no idea what to expect because my mom usually listens to a Catholic service online while Dad is an atheist who has often said, “I go to Saint Mattress.”

Growing up we never went to church when I was a kid. Although there was one time when I was seven years old that my babysitter invited me to attend the Catholic church she was a member at. I was so excited to go to church and got up early and waited for her arrival to come pick me up. I waited but my parents soon realized she was not coming. It was daylight saving—turn your clock back an hour—and she didn’t make it, not remembering to change her clocks.

So, there I was a disappointed little seven-year-old all ready for church but no babysitter to take me. My dad said, “I’ll take you.”

Dad saved the day!

When we got to Saint whatever church, Dad pulled up to the front and let me out. He wasn’t coming, he was just dropping me off.

Determined I went in and sat in the front row. The older ladies around me asked me if I were lost. What I remember most about the service were the guitars—it was a guitar service, and I was looking around to see where they were playing from.  

I loved the music and I felt like God was present in this place. I didn’t really know who God was as a seven-year-old, my parents didn’t talk about Him, but somehow I knew there was something to this God thing.

At the end of service, I walked outside the church and my dad wasn’t there. I waited for a few minutes and looked around but no Dad. So, what does a little girl do when no one is there to pick her up? She starts walking.

I was a very independent little seven-year-old. As I walked for blocks down a busy street I began to wonder if I’d made the wrong choice to start walking. I then decided it was a good idea to cross the street, and as I crossed my dad’s car drove by. He saw me.

I remember him asking me where I was going. I told him I was headed down the following street…and he said, “I would have never found you if you went that way.”

Well, that was the last time I ventured out to church as a kid.

And now, back to this past Sunday, my parents were coming to my church.

As they arrived me and four of my girlfriends warmly greeted them outside as they walked from the parking lot. We found seats. So far so good. One never knows what Dad might say or do, especially in a church setting.

We got through the music and the announcements, and still all good. Through most of the preaching they were quiet. Which is rare for my parents because they have no problem talking when in auditoriums or churches or wherever.

Then, I hear Dad announce, “I should just go in the car and sleep.” I whispered to my mom, “I heard him.” My mother said to my dad, “Hon, she heard you.” Dad says, “She heard me? How could she hear me?” “Yes, she heard you!” my mom told him.

You would have thought that I’d be embarrassed, but I wasn’t.

I couldn’t hold back the laughter—I kept it quiet, thankfully—with the help of my hands covering my face, and I laughed.

No matter what, never stop inviting people to church.

“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”

– 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. Subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.