Faith

"Evil will not do us in...it is not the last word. In fact, death is the birth pangs into resurrection."
--Rev. Bob Dannals, Christ Church, Greenville, SC


Those who know me know I go to church for weddings and funerals.

"It feels like a funeral in one way and that is something has died in all of us."

Work sent me to church today. A man tolled a bell. The congregation sang songs. I sat in the balcony in front of an amazingly large set of organ pipes.

I didn't sing with the congregation, nor did I pray with them. But I was there and...for the first time...I understood why people go.

I stopped going to church when I was around 14. I got tired of the entire idea of tithing, hierarchies, bigotry, and the rest of it. I never had a need for it and in a lot of cases I never understood why anybody had a need for it. The entire concept seemed silly to me.

Even now as I sit here (avoiding all news from around the country), I still don't really appreciate organized religion. But I left today with a greater respect for people who do appreciate and need it. Somehow, sitting in a balcony in front of the organ pipes, looking around and seeing people I know from the community in tears...it made me feel a little better.

I am not now, nor do I think I will ever be a really religious man. If this doesn't convert someone...nothing will. But I understand something more about life today.

I have my own brand of spirituality. I dont talk about it. Not with my wife. Not with my friends. Not with my family. It's mine.

And that's what makes it real.