I’m thinking back to a time when I was in grade school, and my dad would take us into an empty church on a Saturday afternoon. In those days, churches were open during the day, and anyone could just go in and pray for a few minutes. If you have the opportunity to bring your children to a church or Adoration chapel–not just for Mass, but for a visit–definitely do so. It will leave an impression.
When I was around 10 or so, my dad would take us kids to a church in a neighboring town while Mom was at some meeting or other. Dad would have some time to kill, and we’d walk around the neighborhood, visit a park, and at some point wind up in the church.
One of us would ask him, “Are we here for church?”
“No, let’s just say hi to God.”
That was an amazing idea. You can go into a church, and just visit. You can just let God know you’re there, say a prayer, light a candle. Dad would let us walk around a little, look at the statues, kneel down for a moment by the tabernacle.
The church would be quiet. Most of the lights would be out, but it wasn’t a spooky darkness. It was kind of comfortable, actually, kind of the way you feel at night when it’s dark, and you’re nice and warm and sleepy, and you know you’re safe. After all, even if the church is nearly dark, and nearly empty, it is still full–because God is there, just waiting for you to come in and say hi.
I’m linking up with Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb for #WorthRevisit Wednesday, a place where you can come and bring a past & treasured post to share, and link up with fellow bloggers!
Copyright 2017 Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS
Just say ‘hi’ to God… oh my gosh I LOVE that!!! There is nothing more peaceful than a quiet church!
When I was reposting this, I was thinking, “Now, if a parent has an hour to kill with their 3 kids, they’d take them for fast food or go to some indoor play place. In 1975, Dad walked us around the neighborhood, let us play hopscotch in an empty church parking lot, and took us inside the church to say hi to God. And we are the richer for it.”