Under the shadow of a threat from my mother, I join church at the age of thirteen. She promised to take me by and hand and lead me to the front of the sanctuary when Reverend Bridges opened the doors of the church. In my thirteen year old mind, that was the most humiliating thing she could have done to me, therefore, I acquiesced to her threats. You see, no one was going to live in mom’s house and not belong to a church congregation. Mom was raised and lived by Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
When I left home for college I rarely attended church with Easter Sunday and Watch Night services on New Years Eve being the exceptions. I was relieved to be free of being forced to attend church when that wasn’t what I wanted to do. As a little girl, pre-adolescence, I enjoyed attending church with my paternal grandmother but that was the end result of me wanting to be with her all of the time.
Although I believed in God and the Holy Trinity I didn’t truly accept Christ until I was 24, some eleven years after my forced coercion. I have never resented my mother for doing what she did but it does make me wonder if I would do the same to my child(ren). Because of this and my shyness I was never an active member. Oh, I paid my tithes and attended Sunday services on a regular basis but never joined any of the auxiliaries/ministries. I was content to sit in the pews.
As I have matured in life and in my Christian walk my desire to become more involved and connected has intensified. The idea I should be serving and utilizing the gifts God gave me has gnawed at me for quite some time and I have finally taken steps in that direction. I can sing but I have never felt comfortable doing so in public. There have a been a few times I stepped out of my comfort zone and sang Karaoke in a club, at a friend’s wedding, and even did some back up vocals for an uncle when I was 15 years old. I am only comfortable only singing, casually, in the presence of close friends and family.
I am once again stepping out of my comfort zone. I joined the church choir and my first rehearsal is tonight!! I was both excited and nervous during the vocal testing last week and I am feeling the same today but there’s no turning back because:
There’s a praise on the inside
That I can’t keep to myself
A holler stirring up
From the depths of my soul
So excuse me if I seem a little giddy
Or maybe even strange
But praise is the way I say thanks
J. Moss – “The J Moss Project”
I Am Chocl8t 
I can’t tell you how much that makes me smile! Just remember you’re doing this one for him.
When I sing, I usually close my eyes until I get a controlled feeling. It just takes a couple seconds.
Coolness!
good for you. i’ve really felt distant here lately in my spiritual walk, but it’s because i haven’t made it a primacy to maintain the closeness of the relationship that i once had. i’ma get it together one day. relationship present, just not tight like it used to be. makes it seem like things are slowly spinning out of control.
glad u decided to get a lil uncomfortable
I found that being out of your comfort zone is where you truly get to shine. I hope all went well (although I am sure it did). Do tell how it went when you get the chance.
never forget that church is the people and not a building
Choc, that’s how I became a Sunday School teacher. I remember the Pastor coming to see me after we joined the church. Wouldn’t you like to teach? I was hesitant. I’m not well versed in the Bible, would I do the children justice. Then something inside me clicked, and I said,okay, I’ll try. 14+ years later, I’m still teaching. In the beginning it was only 4-5 year olds. This time, I came up in the ages with my grandson, up until this year, his 6th grade class, where I’ve learned along with them, many things. That I didn’t need to go by “the book” entirely when teacher at an older age. That teaching how to deal with things today, in keeping with the ten commandments, was as important, as learning bible verses. We have both grown through this. I have also helped with youth group as my daughters were growing, Christmas plays, cleaning the church, and egg hunts. I started a “divorce recovery” group and tried to start a “adult singles group” (the divorce group was good, but ended after 3 years – the singles group never took hold) and I’ve loved it all. I’m now going to step down and retire, and enjoy all the memories and love that I’ve experienced over the years. I applaud you for coming out of your comfort zone, and making a joyful noice unto the Lord. Wish I could be there to hear you as you lift your voice on high. You make me proud.
@Tabu – that sounds like a good calming exercise.
@ Blonde, JayBee, Dejanae, ChocolateM, & Rawdawg – thanks for the well wishes.
@Nana – I read your comment right before leaving the house for church Sunday morning…it made me cry. You are such a sweetie pie! 🙂