9:10 AM. Wal-Mart. Check-out line. This morning. Sunday morning.
I didn’t want to be there. I try and avoid Sundays and Wal-Mart, but when my children informed me that today was the day they’d be packing their Samaritan’s Purse, Christmas shoeboxes during the Sunday School hour, well, what’s a mother to do?
I tried scrounging through drawers and all the places where I sometimes stash “extras”—left-over goodies for spare occasions requiring a quick gift. Somehow, I didn’t think the children in the remote villages of Africa would appreciate scented candles and bath salts while their friends were unwrapping toy cars, balls, and bubble gum. So after a brief “interior” debate with myself regarding a trip to Wal-Mart prior to Sunday worship, I loaded the kids in the van for the one-mile trip down the road.
Having a Wal-Mart close by is a great convenience for this mom, especially on a day when she doesn’t want her kids (umm… the preacher’s kids) to be the only ones not participating in the Christmas mission project. We quickly loaded our arms with some dollar goodies and made our way to the “express lane.” One of the advantages of going to Wal-Mart on a Sunday morning (if there could be an advantage) is that the crowds are sparse and the “express” check-out really lives up to its billing.
The cashier scanned my items and was bagging them when I noticed another Sunday shopper in line behind us. He wasn’t buying toys for shoeboxes. He was buying a black belt to go with his black suit and shiny tie—a pretty clear give-away that he was headed somewhere requiring more than the typical sweats and t-shirts of the other shoppers I’d seen. Not one for “quiet” check-out experiences, I took a chance on the fact that he was heading to church, and said…
“Would you look at this kids … here’s a man needing a new belt for church.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ve got to give Sunday my best.”
“Of course you do; I’d certainly hate for you to lose your britches during worship!”
He chuckled; we small talked a bit more, and on my way out the door, I shouted back to him…
“Enjoy your Jesus today.”
“Back at you, ma’am. Back at you.”
We parted with smiles and as friends, knowing that we shared some common ground on this Sunday morning. At Wal-Mart. At 9:10 AM. In a check-out line. On a day when we shouldn’t have been worried about such inconveniences, yet a day when we both made a decision to give God our best.
Not our left-overs. Not scented candles when toys would be better. Not a frayed piece of leather when some fresh rawhide would look better … serve better … present itself better because Sundays are intended for our better.
I’ve been thinking about that “better” for the better part of the day; it has both annoyed me and delighted me.
Annoyed me because, in many ways, I think we’ve gotten away from “better” on Sundays. It seems as if “good enough” and second-rate has become the accepted norm rather than the exception. When did that happen? When did we first decide to trade in our “best” as it pertains to our worship for a watered down approach to the process? When did “raggedy and rumpled” replace “spit and polish”? Why is it we don’t bring our “better” to worship on Sundays?
Delighted me because, in many ways, I realize I don’t hold the answers to it all. What I deem “better” is somewhat relative—a personal application regarding my expectations for the Lord’s Day and how I think it should be approached, should be absorbed, should be celebrated, should be revered. I can tell you that in my thinking about Sundays, there is little room for a Wal-Mart run. Still and yet, I’m delighted by the fact that I’m not bound by legalism, but a bit bothered that I’m not—
bound to something better. Some way of “doing” the Sabbath better that exceeds the world’s view of a Sunday’s worth.
As I stood with my young children this morning in the front pew singing “How Great Thou Art,” tears filled my eyes and stung my heart. My arms cradled their shoulders as I watched each one of them run their fingers along the stanzas of the hymn, trying their best to keep up with the pace of the piano. We’ve been working on this for a long season … this learning of how to sing a hymn from an actual hymnal and how to join our voices in unison with the other congregants who’ve come to worship. It may sound a bit rustic, a bit perfunctory to some of you, but it seemed to me that they were giving God their best … “doing” their best to understand this tradition of church worship that I hold dear, and one that I fear will soon be obsolete.
While standing there, I also thought about him. My new Wal-Mart friend standing somewhere in a church of his own in another part of town, wearing his new belt and worshipping the same God as me. I imagined his worship being a bit different from mine, but his heart? Perhaps more similar to mine than the world would imagine. A heart that was willing to make a pit-stop prior to worship in order to “give Sunday his best.”
To give Jesus his best. Not because he had to, but rather because he wanted to. Because somewhere in his past, at some point in his “growing up” years, someone took the time to teach him about Sundays and about giving Sundays something more than his “good enough.”
God is worthy of more than our “good enough’s,” friends. Worthy of more than our disheveled approach to approaching his presence. Certainly, God invites us to come as we are to the throne of grace, knowing that his grace is the only worthy covering for our sin-stained hearts. But when our “coming as we are” is based on our laziness rather than on our desire for holiness, then we’ve missed the mark. We’ve misunderstood the hugeness of the “Who” it is we’ve come to worship. If we really “got” that, then I imagine our check-out lines would be filled with our endeavoring to give God our best.
Annoyed and delighted. That’s where I am in the matter of worship. Wanting to do better, realizing that my better could never be enough to match the honor and glory my Father deserves. I’m going to work on this, this week. Would you be willing to do the same? To examine your worship and your Sundays and your “giving it your best” before the heart of our Father? If we truly want to live better, than we must be willing to examine our hearts further. Otherwise, we meld into a Christian cultural norm that no longer stands out, but rather blends in with a world that was never intended to serve as our norm.
Enjoy your Jesus this week. And should your feet find their place in a check-out line, take time to notice the people around you. To speak to the people around you. To give them some of your time, your conversation, your laughter, your prayers. The kingdom of God happens there just as much as it does in our pews. Perhaps even more so. As always…
peace for the journey,
Copyright © October 2009 – Elaine Olsen
Hi Elaine:
I'm just roaming around on some of these blogs this afternoon and I found yours. I had to both smile and nod in agreement to so much of this posting. I am also 'annoyed and delighted'…thanks for sharing!
Sonja
You know, this morning I was thinking of love's demands. It demands our best, not out of legalism, but out of gratefulness…and how often am I ungrateful?
I'm going to have the picture of that gentleman in my mind today!
Loved your last paragraph, Elaine. I need to do a better job of being aware of the people around me when I'm out in public. I tend to insulate myself somewhat and just go about my business, etc. Thanks for the reminder that the kingdom of God might be happening right under my nose… It's a word I needed to hear.
Have a blessed week!
Elaine, my husband and I were just having this very conversation driving home from church tonight. Something happened in the middle of our service that initiated such a discussion.
"But when our 'coming as we are' is based on our laziness rather than on our desire for holiness, then we’ve missed the mark."
It's all about the 'why' isn't it. It's about the motive or the reason behind our less or best.
I think of the passage in Matthew that speaks of "whitewashed tombs", those who "look best" on the outside, but it's a hypocritical covering. This is where I find the catch. Man looks at the outward appearance and God looks at the heart. It's a constant struggle in me….I don't want to be dressing my best, giving my best because of tradition or "religion", but having my finery falsely advertise a heart that is so less than 'best'. It's got to be real through and through.
Desiring to give God my best in everything,
Joy
Amen, bless you for sharing this.
I loved this… I needed to hear this…thanks friend!
You have touched upon an issue that has been on my heart for such a long time.
This post – and Joys's comment – remind me of the hymn, "Give of Your Best to the Master."
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave.
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.
Refrain
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart.
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave.
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
Refrain
Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love.
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save.
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.
Refrain
Have a blessed week, my friend…
Elaine – this post just spoke to my heart! It was heartwarming and real and so powerful.
THanks for always letting God lead you in what you do and say.
Enjoy your Jesus today indeed!!
Yes LORD!
A God-stop moment in a Walmart, love that! He does speak to our hearts anywhere, anytime and through anyone. I wonder how often I miss hearing or seeing when things don't "measure up" to my expectations.
Indeed, how great He is – whether in Walmart or in an old hymn (or at the beach).
Enjoying my Jesus!
Shalom,
Denise
I appreciated this post this morning. I've had a similar discussion with a friend of mine lately, about Sunday being too common place.
I also agree we need to give of our best, everywhere, every day. I've been in a study on Daniel, and have been convicted that I need to be of a different mind, and make a difference in our "Babylon culture" like Daniel did in his Babylon.
God ordained appointments … simple and seemingly obscure, but oh-so profound when noticed.
I love the image of your children worshipping alongside you in church. Now that's powerful! The little children following hard after Him, and leading the way for we that must be like them.
Hugs,
Kathleen
Elaine,
Better and best are so often subjective. I think of the widow who gave her last few coins to the Lord. She gave her best, but for those who had significantly more (financially) to give, her best likely seemed pitifully small. I imagine there were some very pious heads nodding in disapproval that day at the widow's offering.
Jesus understands 'better' far better than we do, because He knows the heart behind the 'better'.
Have a wonderful week.
Leah
How nice and we all make a lot of trips to Walmart. I really like what you wrote and thank you so much for your precious time in doing this.
wow! God is definitely doing a work in me about this because I just posted about this very subject about 2 minutes ago! Mine is much shorter and not as well written, but the thought is the same. Thank you so much for the convection and encouragement this brought me. YOu never cease to bless my soul! I am beyond thankful for your comment telling me you're praying … means so much to me!!
You are a friend indeed! 🙂
Great message! It bothers me that the trend is to come to church so casually. We should give God our best. I also like that you are teaching your children to follow along in a hymnbook. That has fallen by the wayside, too. Thanks for this great post.
Hey Elaine,
Another great post. WalMart is even BETTER at around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings when you realize that you have forgetten that you signed up for snacks for Sunday School!
Thanks for the words to think upon today!!!
Good, good read! I'm inclined to believe that our best worship occurs outside the pews.It's too long to go into here in this comment, but Missy's death showed me that in a most humbling way.
You mention 2 specifics here (dress & the traditional hymns) that continue to concern me. Could that be an indicator of my age, I wonder?
Are these two issues REFLECTSORS of or INFLUENCES of our hearts and motives? (I'm sure it can't be neatly packaged into one or the other…).
How can we share the truth of our freedom in Christ while at the same time exhort one another toward "best" in our corporate worship experiences?
You've written SO well on this subject in this post. I just wrestle with how, when, and if to let this one "slide" locally….do you know what I mean?
Great post Elaine. I believe giving God my best is coming just as I am without want or need except for His grace and mercy. Kneeling at His feet with a heart of worship and surrender. Laying aside my attitude of "I have to" go to church and replacing it with "I get to" go. Give Him my best means showing up to worship and spend time with God, each and every day of the week…hour…minute.
Thank you for the reminder that God and His work are not confined to just Sunday at church. Sometimes he's at Wal-Mart. I have to remember this when we, too, have to go there to get toys for the shoeboxes.
Well spoken, as always. Great reminder and yes, I join you taking the extra effort to give God my best… I needed this reminder today, my friend.
Mmmm…good words, Elaine. Love this!
Hey Elaine! This post really resonates within my heart……I too have had several Divinely ordered moments lately in the most unsuspecting places that have both humbled and blessed my socks off! We, as children and ambassadors of the Most High God should be "on ready" at all times to speak a kind word, encourage a discouraged heart, and display His Love! His love demands our best, not out of dead legalism, but out of loving surrender to Him! The One who always Loves us – "warts n all"! How precious is His Love!!!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
Your post reminds me of Paul's prayer for the Philippians: "that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best…"
That's our continual challenge isn't it? To have the wisdom to discern the good from the best.
Good thoughts as usual!
The old hymn "Our Best" came to mind while reading your post today. I fear that I am sometimes prone to fall into the trap of just giving enough to get by so many times! What a pity.
Thanks for your enlightening words today!
Marilyn..in Mississippi
You dig deep to find truth here, again and again. Your words make me pause, catch my breath. EVERY. TIME.
*Thank you.*
You make me want to be better.
God in you, spilling over… I stand here in the overflow.
wifeforthejourney:
Your insights into the spiritual aspects of everyday life are brilliant! You have a real gift for finding the Lord at work in the world around you.
Love you,
Billy
Elaine, this was absolutely breath taking. I hung on every word.
I have been thoroughly enjoying OUR JESUS. You do the same each and every day.
Thank you for sharing your heart as you engage the heart of our GOD.
Love you.
Oh, wow…just had to post on this, so wonderfully written. We've been studying about Leviticus, sacrifices & such at church and just last week it was shared that the Jews were very used to bringing God their best (i.e. animals or grains for offerings). It wasn't foreign to them at all, a very accepted part of their worship unto the Lord. Made me really think along some of the same lines you wrote here. Blessed by your words…
I have found that I try to start my worship even before I get out of the car. I hate rushing into service and trying to warm up to the whole church thing while worship is going on… I want to enjoy the whole worship time… so I bow my heart deliberately, so that I can soak in every moment with my precious church family.
Ok I'm impressed that you can get to Wal-mart, get what you need, get out and STILL get to church on time :o) – something about Wal-Mart just sucks me in…
I loved your words and its funny but I've been really bugging the other two in my life about getting to church EARLIER on Sunday's… I will admit to the fact I hate being late to anywhere.. in fact I like to arrive a smidge early no matter where I am going… but it really bothers me that every Sunday we are at the Nth minute getting there, getting Trevor to Sunday School then getting into church, getting a bulletin and rarely are we there before singing begins… and I have not figured out a way to express my dislike of this to my family without sounding like a time nazi… so perhaps I can use your words of giving God more than just our left overs… but giving Him our time and arriving early in order to have a moment before services start to sit quietly in His presence and be thankful…
Thank you for sharing and hopefully giving me some words that I can relate to my family in not giving God our last second but all our seconds…
This is so so so true! I've been struggling with the giving God of our best lately because we are part of a satelite mission arm of our larger church. We dress "down" instead of up on Sundays. We have "casual" church instead of the more formal traditional ways of doing things. I know God is not a legalist, and I know it's what God has called our family to be a part of for now, but it's been hard to reconcile this specific way of doing church/worship, etc.
But what you said about presenting ourselves b/c of laziness vs. as an act of worship (or something like that) has really helped me process things. It just dawned on me that as we go to this satelite mission on Sundays and serve the Lord there in our every day clothes, our obedience and service IS our act of worship. And when we are doing it as an act of worship to our Lord, we are giving Him our best!
I feel like I've had a lightbulb moment!!! Thanks for the post, and for letting me ramble my thoughts in response. 🙂
Blessings to you Elaine…I'm so glad I stopped by to read this morning.
Jennifer
There's little I can add that hasn't already been said so well…this was a wonderful post on so many levels. Often if I find myself in a restaurant or store on a holiday, which I try so hard to avoid, I make an effort to thank my clerk or waitress for serving me. When my kids were teenagers and had their first jobs, their required work hours often interrupted our precious family time. So it served to make me more aware of that. I really desire to do better with the Sabbath also…I am so grateful you shared the story about the man in the line with you at Wal Mart. Bless you for blessing him and bless him for blessing you…and us!
You've given us so very much to think about in this great post, Elaine! There are Sundays when it is hard to get us all there (and on time!) that I know my heart isn't in it and I certainly don't give it my best. The irony is that I WANT to give my best. It's still a work in progress for me, but when I walk thru those doors each Sunday morning, I do want to make sure I do give HIM my VERY BEST!
Amen! Thank you!
BTW, every Communion Sunday i think about the post you wrote about your son licking the communion cups. 1 month ago, i accidentally pulled TWO pieces of bread out of the plate. oops! the next time for communion i accidentally picked a really, really BIG piece of bread (one that needed to broken apart a little more). people were snickering around me. i mean, it was really big. anyway, i thought God must be telling me something – like i need more of Him!
Enjoying Jesus today.
Love!