Claimed by God

The sanctuary was quiet and empty.
The only light was the hazy morning sun
Filtering through the stained glass.
Only God was present, waiting.

Finally, the church began to arrive.
The ushers were first, making arrangements with bulletins
Pinning on white carnations,
Welcoming their helpers today
Who were dressed in Boy Scout uniforms.
The pews began to fill,
Here and there, not too close to the front.
Families, groups of friends filed in and took their places.
Almost like assigned seats.

Amid the people a young mother walked in,
Carrying her son.
She took her place in the room.
God welcomed them all
And His hopes were high
That all would welcome her.

Acolytes, dressed in cream robes, lit white candles.
An anthem was sung with great skill,
The choir sharing its gift with the church.
Hymns were sung with sometimes questionable skill.
It was all music to God’s ears.
Offering, sermon, prayers.

Finally, the moment had come.
The minister stood in front of his flock
And called forth the woman and her son.
She came with no apparent family
except the love she held in her arms.
Nevertheless, the pastor called for her family,
“You know who you are.”
Those who had welcomed her personally,
Shared worship and meals with her and her son,
Were asked to come forward
And stand in support of her.

Out of the church came the church
She had known none of them before she came into the building,
And now they stood with her
A family. A gift from God.
To receive her as a gift from God.

She stood in her church
And professed her faith.
Through water, God reached out,
Claiming her son.
“He is my son, too.”
As he had done for all of them.

Communion was shared.
His body and his blood
Given for the woman and her son.
Given for her new family.
Given for all of His children.

Hymns and prayers sent the church
Back into the world.
And God was once again alone
In the sanctuary.
He whispered after them,
“You know who you are,
Remember whose you are.”