Sunday mornings in our house are hectic … no, crazy! The only smart one is the cat.
Getting everyone fed, cleaned up, dressed, in the car and somehow making it to church by 10:45 is a chore. It would be a lot simpler to throw a flag, skip the hassle, and just hang out.
I grew up in a home that did that. It’s a lot easier. Except for one thing: your attitude and outlook for the week ahead.
Hardly a Sunday morning goes by when I’m not frustrated to the point of yelling trying to get the operation underway and out the door.
But then we get to church. We get everyone to their proper destinations: Sunday School, Nursery, Pew. And then the magic starts.
The music, messages, the scripture lessons, the sermon, the prayers, the smiles, handshakes and hugs. I’m lifted out of my selfish, problem-focused cast and renewed. I am realigned to what I can or have to do. I’m re-centered on the future. I am made small again so I can concentrate on what is large, outside me, and important. I go from dreading Monday to being excited about it. I go from taker, to giver.
Trust me, it is worth it. It is the best medicine I know to fight pessimism, cynicism and anger. No matter the depth of your belief (or skepticism) this medicine is available to you … whether on Sunday or Saturday, whether in Temple, Mosque, Church or Meeting House.
I’m reminded often of George Gilder’s comments that Commerce and Entrepreneurism are essentially acts of giving. That the business person or capitalist is first and foremost a person of purpose, out to change and improve life.
I think the lessons that come from faith and faith communities can help all of us get back on that purpose. They don’t require zeal or imply doctrinaire outlooks, per se’. But they do help us move from being certain takers to potential givers.