My dad is a retired minister, and growing up in church has been one of the greatest blessings I can think of. I have always had an extended family of believers at my disposal any time I have needed anything, and it has been a joy. People being who they are, though, naturally means that mishaps occur from time to time, and some are rather humorous.
For example, when my brother was in middle school, he was rather adventurous and ornery. He and a friend decided to climb around in the rafters of the church, during service, nonetheless. All was well and good, until, you guessed it, his foot slipped and came bursting through the tile above my preacher father’s head. I’m not sure how it all turned out for him because I was away at college at the time, but I cannot imagine that his consequences were pleasant, once everyone stopped laughing, that is.
I also remember a precious man with Down’s syndrome, who came to church with his elderly mother. There were two sets of doors at the church, and one opened near the front of the sanctuary. One day, right in the middle of a rousing chorus of “We Shall See the King,” this man came bursting through the door near the front, waving his cowboy hat to boot. I am fairly convinced that he thought the song was about him.
My husband did not grow up in church, but he was able to attend several youth outings with various youth groups over the years. One time, he and his friends decided to play hide and seek in a dark church building (this was during a retreat or something that required them to stay overnight in the church facility). They were running carelessly, chasing each other through the front of the church, not really knowing where they were going. Unfortunately, what they didn’t know was that the baptistry was full and it was open. The first boy hit the water and nobody behind him was able to stop in time, so they were like dominos, falling in one by one, until all were submerged.
Even in my adult years, I have continued to experience many moments of laughter. Once, during a play about hell, the “demons” in the play neglected to plug in the smoke machine in enough time for it to warm up and create its intended effect. Therefore, when they pushed the button to activate it, instead of smoke coming out, a spatter of black inkish substance came spraying out all over the white clad “angels.” “Demons” and “angels” alike were at a loss to contain themselves that night!
Thankfully, I believe that God wants his people to be joyful, and there’s no place I would rather be than with my church family!
