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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

How to Have an Anxiety Attack While Visiting a Different Church for the First Time

First, walk in late.
Second, be just under 6 feet tall. And fat.
Third, proudly wear an "Obama '08" button because you are high on the adrenaline from the caucus and feel like it's important to be integrated in your whole life. Think, misguidedly, that wearing the button is a step toward this kind of integration.
Fourth, listen to a main point in the sermon about how people are feeling alienated by some others because of strong political views. Hear about how it is important not to shove things in other's faces, but to bring all things up in relationship. Agree wholeheartedly with the message that being a Jesus-follower has a definite impact on your whole life - including your responsibility to participate in the political process. Feel like a total schmuck because not only are you late, fat, and tall, you have a fricking political button on your vest.
Fifth, try not to be distracted the rest of the sermon by trying to decide whether or not to remove said fricking button. Deliberate in your head what the point was of wearing the button to church anyway. Wish your button said "Vote" instead of "Obama". Decide that would have been a much better way to integrate faith and politics without being a case-in-point for the sermon.
Sixth, decide to not take off the button, dammit. Because you don't want it to be obvious that you are taking it off JUST BECAUSE OF THE SERMON THAT IS DIRECTED AT YOU YOU YOU and you can be a stubborn bitch. Also, you were late and therefore in a seat that no one else wanted so taking the button off would be really obvious. See also "fat" and "tall" above.
Seventh, realize that you have to go up and take communion with the fricking button on. So not only are you exposed to the half of the church that could scrutinize you in the crappy seat, now you get to expose yourself to the ENTIRE CHURCH.
Eighth, slip button off after church while crowd dissapates and you have a conversation with someone you actually know and haven't seen in a long time (which provides enough of a distraction that you don't feel like a TOTAL tool taking off your button).
Ninth, be introduced to the pastor. You are now, thankfully, without the fricking button, but are sure that it is marked on you somehow. Be convinced that the pastor saw you and directed some of his sermon remarks directly at you. Become convinced that the pastor can see directly into your soul, exposing you as a fluffy-faithed, pedicured suburbanite.
Tenth, say stupid things to the pastor, like "being on a spiritual journey" and "working through some stuff with my faith", which leave no doubt that you are a loser and poseur. Wish for the ground to swallow you whole. Realize that you started this potential church relationship off on the absolute worst foot possible.
Eleventh, come back to your blog and brood and cry. Realize that this journey you're on is a bigger deal to you than you thought. Acknowledge that despite all the work you've done, you still have a few issues to deal with. Plead to Jesus for some relief to the anxiety and for comfort and challenge in the next steps.

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Comments

ok, I know this wasn't suppose to be that funny, but Mike was wiping the tears from his eyes as I was reading this to him.

I so appreciate your willingness to invite us all into your "spiritual journey" :) Truly, it does minister to me. And I love to hear my husband's laugh!

Thanks, Jen. It was meant to be funny in that "oh my gosh I know exactly how that feels and so I'm laughing - and yet, ouch!" sort of way. Thanks for reading!

Oh my... this is totally what being in a new place does to one hey! I went to so many new churches as a child and experienced that 'alien' feeling so often that I don't like going to new churches still!

Bravo with the faith journey. I haven't written about it on my blog yet, but I feel as if every single faith thing I knew is being turned on its head. Thankfully our new pastor isn't scared of this, and perhaps is even encouraging all of us to take this journey. Yesterday a friend who has lived in China for three years came around and for nearly four hours we discussed our parallel journeys... amazing we were working through exactly the same things totally disconnected, just writing veiled emails about other things! Maybe we're all on the same journey... would love to be able to chat about it further!

Peace to you in your journey!

I find this thought comforting: People think about us far less than we think.

Ouch! is just about right. Funny, but sharp as well.

Your primary relationship with the church is the one you have with Jesus, and I'm pretty sure you get forgiveness from that quarter even if you did wear a political button on your shirt ;).

Plus we still love you.

Thanks for your commiseration and laughter, y'all!

My subsequent visits are going better, but hoo-boy am I learning about just exactly where my "comfort zone" is. I want to change, and I realize how hard it is.

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