"Sunday Face"

Have you ever laughed at someone just to go and do something as foolish or goofy yourself? One night I was watching the Discovery Channel. It was one of their E.R. shows, and this lady had accidentally been putting her husbands Nitroglycerin ointment on his hemorrhoids, and his hemorrhoid medicine on his heart. It almost cost him his life. I laughed thinking, "How could you possible confuse those two?"

The very next morning I was getting ready for work and before putting on my make-up, I realized I had put my lip ointment that plumps and prevents my lipstick from running under my eyes -- GREAT! Now my eyes would be puffy all day long. My under-eye treatment was to reduce puffiness, lines and lighten any circles under my eyes had been applied to my lips -- GREAT! My lips would be pencil thin (SOOO attractive). It would be interesting to see how the rest of my make-up would look by the time I'd get done.

It reminded me of the time when I was a newlywed living in Dallas and work required I wear dresses or suits. I'd get dressed the same way every day. Under garments first (That makes sense, right?), then I'd try to figure our what I'd wear for the day. One morning I had gone to work, had been social speaking to almost everyone in the office, worked some files, went to the restroom and the breakroom, but it wasn't until I went back to my desk that my support person told me I needed to go home at lunch. I said, "Why? What's wrong?" That's when she informed me that she could tell I was wearing hot-pink panties under my white dress! I sat down the rest of the morning and tried to make my exit as uneventful as possible.

We try so hard sometimes to put on a good face, to have the right look especially when it comes to going to church. But how many times have we already had an altercation, had to referee a disagreement, had a bad hair day, couldn't find a shoe, etc., before we ever enter the premise of the church only to slap on a happy face right before entering the doors. Sometimes we enter the sanctuary or our small group room with so much baggage that our hearts aren't prepared to praise and worship. We are doing it because it is the right thing to do. We are doing it out of obligation. We aren't doing it out of our relationship with God. We aren't doing it because we are prepared to enter His presence expecting a word or touch from Him.

I remember there was one Sunday I had to leave during the middle of the Sunday school lesson. I just couldn't hold it together any longer. I drove home crying my heart out to God under such conviction, and I met God at my kitchen table. It wasn't pleasant, but it was necessary. There have been times when I just wanted "to unload," "to be heard," or "to be encouraged and loved on," but I didn't get it at church. You know why? It wasn't the people at church fault. It was mine. It was pride. I didn't reach out and tell someone I needed help. I didn't find a godly, growing lady to take aside to say, "Would you please pray for me, I'm struggling?" Why didn't I? Why don't you? Healing, support and encouragement is a person away...God can use godly, growing women to touch the lives of other women.

If a wise, godly, growing lady were available during the Sunday school hour in the Women IN Ministry office, I wonder how many visitors would she have? Who would have the courage to share their heart with another woman of such class, wisdom and character? This is something I've been praying about. I'd love to have your feedback. Words are one thing. Action is another.

Real worship begins when we let down our defenses, when we lay down our burdens at the foot of the cross and live as if God has already handled it. Sometimes we may just need a little help doing it. And God isn't all that impressed with how your make-up, hair or clothes appear. He is more concerned with your heart.