Okay, not really my pew, but the one where we sit — and have for nearly ten years. Right in front of Ann and behind Theresa and Vivian, our church buddies, the friends we greet with a smile and a hug each week, and with whom we occasionally cut up or exchange snarky but good-natured comments about the sermon. You know...the seats where we feel right at home. You probably have your spot, too.
Honestly, it might as well be our pew. There’s a stain on the cushion where my red ink pen exploded and an extra hymnal or two tucked away in the corner, just in case I forget to bring mine down from the platform after leading worship, and the cushions are molded to our — well, let’s just say they are quite broken in and comfortable.
But I lost it. I lost my pew!
It happened without warning one Sunday morning. Balancing my normal load of class materials and leftover snacks, music for the service, my way-too-big Bible, and a bag of canned goods for the food pantry, I struggled up the aisle toward our pew. As I reached it, I froze. Somebody was already there — several somebodies, actually — an entire family, Mom, Dad, and kids. They looked up, and I quickly hid my look of surprise with a big smile I hoped looked genuine. “Good morning! I’m Eric the music guy. Welcome to Bethel.”
Shifting my load to a new yet just as awkward position, I thrust out a welcoming hand (no, really, it was) and then made my way toward the front to find a new place to sit. We finally settled on row four, left side, left end. To be honest, I felt unsettled the rest of the service.
I’ve chuckled over that incident many times. How like a human to experience surprise and, to my shame, a moment of annoyance over “losing” a pew that really wasn’t mine to begin with. A pew I have prayed to be filled with new converts and families whose lives have been changed by the power of the gospel. I can’t help but recall Paul’s admonishment to the Philippians to follow Christ’s example of humility, putting the good of others before our own comfort or ease. Really, that pew was just a place to sit.
Good thing I understand that, because, within a month, I lost the new pew, too! Currently, Jennifer and I are trying to break in the second row, left side, right end. At this point, who knows where we will sit on big days?
However, if “losing” another pew makes the difference in someone’s eternal destiny, I will happily sit in the aisle if needed. (In all honesty, I would prefer the aisle over the “splash zone” right in front of the pulpit, and those are about the only seats left.)
About the Columnist:Eric K. Thomsen is managing editor of ONE Magazine.
