Diversity

This weekend I was reminded of the diversity of the church that I serve.

Every weekend I seem to realize something different or something stands out to me. This weekend it was the diversity of the individuals that make up Fellowship Church.

When we went to service on Saturday it hit me during the worship music. I could see a friend's parents sitting a few rows in front of us. They were an elderly couple. They were singing every word and had their hands out. To the side of us I could see high school students in full on worship. They were shouting, bouncing, and just about ready to jump on top of their seats. I could also see the mom and daughter in front of us. Mom had her arms stretched up in surrender as her and her daughter sang along to every song. What a diverse group. All there for one reason: worship their creator.

Then on Sunday morning while I was working again I saw a show of diversity in the nursery. Normally you can predict the type of person who wants to work with the babies. Normally grandmothers and couples. Not us! We have all types: single moms, 18 yr old high school students, pastor's wife, even a couple with infertility issues who are struggling to have a child of their own. But the exchange I saw after our last service was special. We have an older lady who stays a little late to clean all the strollers. While she was doing her normal thing one of the girls that used to volunteer with her stopped by to say hello. The lady that cleans is the sweet old lady that her hair is always fixed up, smells nice, and everyone knows her name. The girl that came to see her, she did smell nice, but is covered in tattoos including a colorful neck tattoo, wears a pair of old check taylors, and has spiky hair. But they are friends. Now that's an odd couple. But it is just a normal friendship up there. Which made me feel special that I get to experience such a diverse place every week.

The last example was special to me. There is a guy that I have recently become friends with. He and I went to our men's conference earlier this year. We watched a few boxing matches together. We shared manly experiences. This weekend I saw him volunteer for the first time. And not just that, this manly man sang a sweet little girl to sleep. It wouldn't surprise me to hear him sing Led Zeplin any day of the week. But Sunday he sang You Are My Sunshine.

I am truly blessed by my experiences.