Sometimes small can make you see the bigger picture

From time to time, I would find myself wishing that my church was better.  I know a lot of it has to do with my own understanding of my tradition (meaning I need to study more) and also taking things seriously enough to really prep for church - not getting too tired and falling asleep. But sometimes I would wish that I could feel a better connection with the whole service or that the priest/pastor could keep me engaged enough.

A weekend trip to the sunshine coast (it's a peninsula north-ish of Vancouver) was God's answer to my prayers and taught me that very often, it really is just a problem with me. I just need check how I'm looking at it. In our trip, we attended our Sunday service (Mass) in a small community church (probably 6-8 rows of seats at most) which is shared by multiple traditions - Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and Lutherans. When the service began, the place was a little less than half full and there were 20 people - 7 of which were us who came from the city. My first thought: "is it really worth the trip to have someone come out here to have the service?" Insensitive I know, and I'm sorry, working on it. And then comes the priest who apparently is already retired, and my next thought: "well this is a nice place to retire to." Anyway, as I told the stupid voice in my head to shut up and focused myself, the service began. 

It turned out to be one of the most intimate services I've attended. This priest was very charismatic and lively despite how he looked and the organ music which would normally put me to sleep didn't.  Something kept me focus as if telling me that I needed to hear what ever message was gonna said. It was really quite refreshing and it inspired and motivated me to go back to appreciate my home church (which has a huge congregation).  I'm able to take in so much from the small service and reconsider things that I would normally just go over habitually. It helped me see things clearer and think "yea that's why we do this, that's why this is important." 

Skookumchuck Rapids - I think their the
 only one of it's kind in the world.

I hope by this short sharing, I've inspired you to look deeper into your tradition. Study it more if you have to, so that you may understand why things are the way they are, why it's done the way it is. I pray that you may grow to love what ever church you go to even more and inspire others as well. 

"But every seed dies before it grows" 

- Enough To Let Me Go by Switchfoot