My Sunday

Photo credit: congregational consulting group

Sundays are usually peaceful, it is easily the best day of the week for me but like every other person, once it’s time to sleep, the reality dawns on me that the next day would be back to the usual hustling and bustling.

A typical Sunday for me starts by first going to church then back and the usual Sunday rice; I still do not understand why most Nigerians have rice for lunch on Sundays. A friend once told me that his mother wanted to be different and so instead of rice, prepared beans on Sunday afternoons. I’m thinking in that direction.

I love to go to church especially on Sundays, it is my happy place and one place where I know that the One to whom we all gather to worship loves me and accepts me just the way I am.

In the church I see all sorts of people, those who sit and look at every other person as a sinner, the looks on their faces tell me that they believe the church is meant only for them. They are the first to go for Communion and grasp their hands together like they are already on their way to heaven.

I see those who feel that they own the church, they want to control everything and everyone; they hush at little children who make noise, tell other adults to cover their hair properly, they adjust people’s bra straps with an ‘I am your big aunty’ kind of look. 

They even teach the church wardens their jobs (I fall into this particular category sometimes, I must admit). 

There are those who act like they know more than the priests and are quick to counter some teachings from their seats quietly and are pleased when people admire them for being so knowledgeable in the things of the church. Then they are quick to boast that they studied Theology and Psychology and Physiology and other logies.

Some are in church to network and establish business contacts; such people can hardly wait for Mass to end. They come on time and position themselves strategically to sit close to their prospects. They are quick to turn just to tap and laugh with their targets if the priest throws out any joke regardless of how dry it is.

There are those who come to church to look for their missing ribs, they dress to impress with the hope that someone just might notice. This applies to both male and female. There are however a few ladies who come to church to flirt just for the fun of it.

Some come to dance their sorrows away and some are in church just to look at and envy other people. 

Some come happy and leave sad; sometimes, a few church workers in carrying out their duties go overboard and hurt people’s feelings. Some come sad and leave very happy for several reasons; maybe a love interest eventually said a word to them or a business deal clicked or their enemy was humiliated or for the right reason – they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

What I dread most when I’m in church is halitosis (bad breath) and body odour. I endured one of them today but all I felt for the person was pity because of his status.

Anyway, there is a class of people who come to the church just to beg for money; the closet beggars are always in need and then there are the real beggars. I do not in any way wish to undermine people with genuine issues that deserve to be assisted.

The most intriguing one is the fact that someone who sits next to you and recites all the prayers by heart steals your purse at the slightest chance. 

Someone once shared her experience with me, she recognised a man who was a part of the armed robbery gang that attacked her family in their home the week before. She was so terrified and so she quietly left the church with her family before the man recognised her. 

She said it was difficult for her to sleep for days because she kept thinking that the man knew her and may come back for her.

In one accord we sing hymns, go for communion, offerings and dance to the altar for thanksgivings, and so it makes me wonder why we commune together yet have so much hatred for one another. I wonder why the people who worship together still hurt each other and are quick to run their fellow brethrens down at any given opportunity.

The church is supposed to be a safe haven but we have turned it into what it should not be, gossip, hypocrisy, theft and intimidation are gradually finding their ways into the church and the younger ones are asking questions. 

Did I forget to mention that some come to church to show off? Yes they show off their wealth yet find it extremely difficult to help those who are truly in need.

As for the men of God, I won’t go there, my faith forbids me from criticising my priests but all I know is that I am praying for some of them very seriously.

Whatever you go to the church for just remember that Christ is always waiting for you there. No doubt He lives in your heart and in your home but you still need to go and worship Him in His Holy place. 

Please overlook all the misdemeanours that go on in the church, face your business, and worship your God in spirit and in truth. At the end of the day, it is a personal race for heaven!