It was a lot of fun to be with the family. People who share the history and stories that we tell and re-tell, and tell once again. Lots of laughs. Our eldest child was off to a show choir competition, so it was just my hubby, myself, and our two younger kids doing the trip. The kids had each had a sleep-over the night before we left, so they were low on sleep before we even left. (WHY is it called a sleepover when there is minimal sleep that even happens?)
I was concerned that with the lack of sleep, and the tension of family "together time" that there may be an emotional break down. But, all went well. The church service today was at a Lutheran church. We attend a Methodist Church, but I grew up doing the "Lutheran thing". It was like stepping into a pair of comfortable old shoes for me - all the responses were the same, and the memories come flooding back from my growing up years. That puts a whole new twist in my thoughts as to the importance of having traditions in a church service.
My father has Alzheimer's disease. A terrible, terrible disease - truly we lost my dad years ago. This new man looks like dad, and we love him, but this isn't the dad I had growing up. All that background to connect the dots here - before the disease progressed to where it is now, dad found so much comfort attending church. He couldn't remember everything, but he knew the hymns. He knew what to expect next in the service, and he took a lot of comfort in that tradition. I got to see how powerful those ingrained memories were today as all of that came flooding back for me sitting there in the one hour service. I was sitting next to one child - and for some of the liturgy I got looks of "what is this?" - but, I just kept pointing to where we were in the bulletin and told her to follow along, and enjoy the ride.
Our niece got confirmed. The service was lovely. The time together with the family was wonderful. My oldest returned safely from the show choir trip. All in all a great weekend.
I like the new things that happen at church. I enjoy trying new things. But, I also cherish the traditions that I grew up with, and how those traditions can bring me comfort.
I've attended lots of contemporary worship services but I find that there's a part of me that will always love the traditional liturgy and hymns. Thanks for sharing.
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