THE LAST PRAYER
To say I didn’t like church service as a kid would be a drastic understatement, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like the pastor. When the preacher would finally call on a “Brother” followed by his last name to say the last prayer my soul and body would jump for joy on the inside.
It didn’t take long for me to figure out that it wasn’t a miracle how Pastor Young magically appeared at the front door of our little church to shake hands with every person as they made their way out.
Even though it was illegal, not to mention flirting with a trip straight to hell, with all the good
image courtesy of all posters.com
While Pastor Young spoke of judgment with authority and the right Biblical perspective, not all the flock took note. Some of them took to judging like a duck does to water.
I watched our beloved preacher stride silently in those long black wing tips with his head bent in reverence. Being a seasoned veteran of church services, and an expert in the sport of church exiting, I always tried to snag a pew closest to the door.
Pastor Young was always there waiting to shake my hand as well as the other boys my age that had the same species of ants in our pants. Our preacher knew all of us regulars by name and knew us well enough to always ask how we were doing with whatever sport or hobby we were into at the time.
Back in the seventies, there was no shortage of people still caught in the sixties with clothes and hairstyles to prove it. It didn’t matter to Tom Young what they looked or smelled like, he’d give each person a hearty handshake and a sincere welcome.
Unfortunately, like our small town church, our mega church today still has some of those folks that believe they have the mind and right to judge another’s heart using their eyes.
“Before you’re seated, please take a minute to greet those standing around you,” the preacher urged. It’s never my favorite part of the service, but I obliged and turned to shake the hands of the folks behind us.
There were two men, probably in their mid to late sixties. I smiled and stretched my open hand toward the man directly behind me. He held his arm at his side and turned his head away. I offered my hand to the man next to him and he accepted looking a bit embarrassed. Then the man who had refused to shake my hand shook everyone else’s.
I’m not exactly sure how or why I offended the man. It could have been a number of things; from my untucked shirt, designer jeans my wife got for me or my shoulder length hair that he couldn’t know used to be half way down my back.
What shocked me the most about the incident was my response. There was a time when I would have misquoted scripture to justify my anger and reprisal… but how can I know the paths that led that man to where he stood behind me?
Maybe that man kept his eyes closed in church during the last prayer… and didn’t have a man like Tom Young to show him the heart of God.
Sunday, March 27, 2016 @ 5:10 pm
Your pastor was a gem,Floyd–plain and simple. He reached out and accepted. Mysister was not treated well in church as a youth, and as a result, stopped going for many years. She didn’t raise her daughter in the church either–a real loss. But recently, she is attending a service here and there, and people are loving on her….there are other Pastor Toms out there, thank God. And I pretty well can’t believe that that guy wouldn’t shake your hand . . . or maybe, maybe on second thought I do (that sounds bad, huh?! It’s not YOU!! 🙂 ) But what I mean is that it really doesn’t surprise me how judgmental people can be about appearance…about hair length or jean length or jeans at all. I personally have to be really careful abuot that. I dress up when I go to church. I was taught to do so, but when through my torn-jean days. I changed in my late twenties and early thirties and never went back. I see it as putting my best foot forward. But I have to be careful not to judge others who walk a different path, because I know that God looks at the heart. That’s the kind of eyes I need to keep open: the eyes of my heart! Thank you as always for a wonderful post. I so appreciate you!
Happy Easter!
Love
lynn
Sunday, March 27, 2016 @ 6:47 pm
Your “judgment” posts always strike a cord with me, Floyd. I guess because it’s been a hard-learned lesson for me. You, too? I’m thankful God built your foundation with the help of a man like Pastor Young. My mom and I were talking today about the church experiences she has had throughout her lifetime. Many of them negative, especially dealing with failings of leaders/Pastors. Thankfully, she knows that it is God Who is the head of the church, not man. If she didn’t believe that, she would probably have stopped going long ago. I hope your Easter was blessed, brother!
Sunday, April 3, 2016 @ 8:50 am
Yep. Me too, for sure.
Sunday, March 27, 2016 @ 6:58 pm
Who knows why some people act the way they do… I am pretty careful in service not to overpower anyone when in worship. Sometime the music is so loud, my voice tends to increase in intensity as well. I don’t pay attention to anyone else, I just worship – usually with eyes closed. Then there are those who don’t sing at all. A few have glanced back with knitted eyebrows and slight, disapproving shake of the head. Oh well. I can’t be held responsible for their inability to enter in! Thanks for sharing.
Sunday, March 27, 2016 @ 11:25 pm
Oh, my, isn’t that just awful? I can’t imagine why they would be so unfriendly and refuse to accept your offer of being welcoming and congenial. Who knows what the story is, but it is just so sad to me that people act this way. I am thankful you had a pastor like Tom….he obviously rubbed off on you and shaped the way you treat others. Sometimes, we Christians, can act so unlike our Christ. I just picture Jesus to be so warm and inviting and loving…I just know He was, and that is how He wants us to be to one another…not to hold each other at arm’s length. Thank you for sharing your heart here. God bless you and your family.
Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 10:26 am
Ouch. But yeah, it’s more about him than about you. It’s hard to live unoffendable, but it sure makes life easier when we can. You’re an awesome example, Floyd, of brushing it off and moving on, not judging.
Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 11:19 am
Wow, Floyd. People can be so human sometimes, huh? I have often said that I wish *Christians* would get out of the way so other people could see Jesus. I include myself in that statement – how often have I blocked the view?
May the Lord teach us more about His grace, and help us to extend it to others (like you did) when we are treated in judgmental and condescending and unkind ways.
GOD BLESS!
Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 1:36 pm
Humans. The world would be a great place without them. now…here’s a twist. Suppose those two men were…shall we say…real close friends? I’m glad you didn’t respond with anger. Love ’em to death is a saying I like to use. 🙂
Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 3:25 pm
This world is made up of all kinds of people–and churches are not immune. Dick once had a parishioner told him his sermons were so much better when he left his suit coat on! We just had to chuckle in amusement when we got home. Glad you can brush this off and remember the lesson your pastor taught you long ago. Great writing, Floyd, as always!
Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 3:39 pm
Ace and I have walked a road full of issue such as that as we traveled visiting churches and individual raising our support and touching base with then when home on furlough. People judge us so differently because are missionaries. They somehow think we are a cut above them or a cut below them. WE are careful not to offend as we attend different churches that support us. On the other side, I have judge churches by their little board that tell how much money they give to missions. My goodness we are frail and in need of a Holy God who can love us even with all our warts. Blood covers warts too and seep into the cracks of our frailness and He sees grace and treats us with grace. Good post brother.
Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 3:43 pm
What a gracious perspective, Floyd. Wonderful lesson. It’s a powerful thing when we give some legs to the grace we’ve received. 🙂 Not easy, but am sure it delights Gods heart to see us walking out the truth. Thanks for this. Powerful, as always.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 @ 1:27 am
Every Sunday as I walk into church, the “greeter” eyes me from top to bottom, always hesitating for a brief moment at my shoes. She is decked to the nines usually with killer spiked heels. And me? Well…I’m me. Do I feel judged? Yes. But, that is on her, not me. I love my flats! Just as I love your posts, Floyd! Thanks for being real, my brother!
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 @ 10:51 am
Floyd,
What a great example Pastor Young was of Christ’s heart for all people and I’m sorry the guy wouldn’t shake your hand. When something akin to that has happened to me, I’ve slowly learned it isn’t about me but the other person…and like you pointed out, we don’t know what is going on in the other person’s heart. Thanks for this thoughtful post 🙂
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 @ 10:57 am
I too used to wonder how the pastor could get to the door so quick after someone gave the closing prayer. I doubt if the man behind you, even heard the “last prayer,” or the one that said judge not that you be not judged. It is amazing how we would try to fix the splinter in someone’s eye and ours has a 2×4 in our own eye. I am so thankful that God looks on the heart and not the hair length, or the color of it, or the tattoos that cover many of those who attend our church. I was taught to wear a dress to church, and I usually do, but I can’t wear high heels anymore, so Flats do the job. Pastor says, if you are a first timer here, you may wonder about some things you see – but know we are a bunch who love Jesus with all our hearts. Pastor wears jeans and a undershirt with a shirt on top, has a beard and hair almost to his shoulders.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 @ 10:58 am
Thank you for sharing at Tell Me a True Story. I love your entries !!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 @ 11:47 am
First of all, thank you for showing us your vulnerable heart; it really helps me be more aware. People pick up so much from our mannerisms aside from our words. Your message speaks to me to be in tune. As a greeter sometimes at the front door, I see an array of expressions from the “I just woke up look” or “Please don’t touch me and hug me or extend your hand,” to the ones that practically lift me off the floor with their warm hugs. We are all different in this family of God and it behooves us to get our spirits in touch with the Holy Spirit so others are comfortable in God’s house. It helps to talk about it like you just did.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 @ 9:44 pm
Spot on, as usual, Floyd. How we respond truly is a sign of the journey we’ve taken, isn’t it? I can imagine any number of responses I would have had in that situation – depending upon what stage of my journey I was in at the time. 🙂
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 @ 9:00 am
I have to say, I used to be a judgey person, especially in my teen years (if not externally then internally). Thankfully, God broke me out of it. Not saying I’m 100% (still have a really hard time with people who harm kids or elderly among other things), but I can generally take someone at face value and offer kindness. That’s the grace of God for sure. Thanks Floyd.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 @ 4:44 pm
Hey Floyd,
Isn’t it wonderful what the Lord’s grace and humbleness can do to our hearts? It’s okay. We have to pray for this fella, as he, most likely, wouldn’t have wanted to shake Jesus’ hand, either. You know, Jesus was probably had long hair, clothes a little disheveled, dirty feet from all that walking and teaching…. He was always being tossed-out of church or towns…. Yep! And, keep in mind, that the Lord keeps “you” away from some situations and people. His hand was not to be touched by you. Praise the Lord and give thanks for His love and protection!! When it is time, if it ever is, shaking the hand of this man will be a treat, because he has tasted the grace of the Lord. Much joy and many blessings!
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 @ 4:45 pm
Hey Floyd,
Isn’t it wonderful what the Lord’s grace and humbleness can do to our hearts? It’s okay. We have to pray for this fella, as he, most likely, wouldn’t have wanted to shake Jesus’ hand, either. You know, Jesus probably had long hair, clothes a little disheveled, dirty feet from all that walking and teaching…. He was always being tossed-out of church or towns…. Yep! And, keep in mind, that the Lord keeps “you” away from some situations and people. His hand was not to be touched by you. Praise the Lord and give thanks for His love and protection!! When it is time, if it ever is, shaking the hand of this man will be a treat, because he has tasted the grace of the Lord. Much joy and many blessings!
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 @ 6:47 pm
I’m sorry he hurt you, Floyd. He doesn’t know your heart. Thanks for your graciousness with him and forgiveness. Your childhood pastor sounds like a great guy! That’s how I want to be too.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Friday, April 1, 2016 @ 6:51 am
I know I’m guilty of judging…and justifyin it!
Shows growth and maturity to not let incidents like that invoke a natural sinful response.
A while back there was a lady I was friends with who suddenly decided she no longer wanted to communicate with me. I was floored, I had no clue what I’d done wrong. I apologized for whatever I had done and I respected her request but it took months if prayer before I had peace about it. She still isn’t on my life and I still don’t know why our friendship ended but I’m mainly ok with it. I pray for her and hope someday we will be friends again.
Thank for the reminder that we don’t know what others have endured and we shouldn’t judge.
Thursday, April 14, 2016 @ 12:38 pm
So glad you had a good response, Floyd. Isn’t it nice to see growth in our lives? I always appreciate it. I taught a Sunday school class on judgment to teens awhile back and I asked them if they have a harder time judging Christians or non-Christians and they all said Christians. I think we sometimes get this idea in our mind of what “church people” should look like and then judge people when they don’t meet up to our standards. Ironically, the ones I struggle with the most are judgmental Christians – yet I’m struggling with judging them so I guess that puts me on the same level. 🙂