"I want you to come (to church) as who you are......"

[Ms Bev]

I returned to church again last sunday....the third time in recent history.  I showed up after the anthem, and that's late, I know, but Marcy is in the choir, and after the anthem, they can sit with family, or spouse, and I'm not quite ready to sit alone just yet. 

The sermon this sunday was on accepting differences and flaws we all have, without trying to 'fix' each other.  The pastor compared us to clearance merchandise, that all had some flaw, and was not returnable.  You bought and accepted it with its inherant flaw.  I felt like this sermon was written about me, which of course, it was not.  Kind of corny, but hey, I live in a ruralish area.

On the way out of the sanctuary, a number of people strained on tiptoe to get a look at me.  Apparently, word is getting around.  So far, though, I have had no negative encounters.  Some who had not seen me in a long time just wondered who the woman with Marcy was.  Outside, on the way to my car she chided me for dressing in so much black.  I told her it helped camoflage me a little, and for that, I got a frown.  "I want you to come as who you are.......what happened to your dress shoes? Where's your lipstick?  Why did you take out your pearl earrings?  You look so pale.  I want you to be you, I told you that last sunday.  I want YOU here".

I'm waiting to see how things progress.  I want to see what the reaction is going to be over time, especially in her bible study of very fundamental old ladies.
Next time to church, I'll wear work clothes, but with nicer black slacks, and dress black flats and  nylons, maybe a nice white cable knit top with an open neckline, and dangle earrings.
To me, that sounds daring.  To Marcy, it's how I always dress for work, and that's what she expects for church as well, especially since I leave church and go straight to work (LOL...my coworkers would say "Bev....straight??").

Anyway, we'll see how things go, and pray for the best.

Bev