Empty Shells and Little Old Ladies

This day seems to be a unique one in our family. First, my husband and I both became Christians on September 16, 1984. Exactly ten years later we received the adoption papers and picture for the little boy who would become our son. Then a few years after that, both of our children became American citizens on September 16.

This year, it was to be the day that we would become Pilgrims, of sorts. For the past year and a half we have been attending an Episcopal church that we suspected would not remain so forever. It had become a magnet for people who were disgusted with the Episcopal church hierarchy and it didn't take long for us to see that things would get interesting if we stuck around.

This morning was our last Sunday in the current building. Our pastor, most of the staff, and many of the parishioners will be starting a new church in a different denomination. Our rector was going to stay until the end of this month, but the Bishop had other plans and asked him to leave after today. So, our little band of pilgrims is going to meet for two weeks of lay-led worship and prayer until our rector can perform communion again on October 7.

As my daughter and I walked out of the church for the last time today, she said, "Let's say good-bye to the church." As we stood in the "cry room" at the back of the sanctuary, for some reason I was reminded of an empty insect shell. It was as if God was telling me that the life was gone from the room, the shell served its purpose, and now there is new life beginning elsewhere.

Although this thought helped me not to cry as we left, the empty shell analogy isn't entirely accurate. I think there are some people staying at the church who are truly children of God. They are fed up with what's going on in the Episcopal church, but they just can't bring themselves to leave. They raised families in that church. They buried their husbands while at that church. They've weathered many storms in their lives, and they want to stay put in a familiar place for the few remaining years they have left on this earth.

All I can say is, God bless those "little old ladies." May they be a remnant of truth that help guide more souls to Christ in that shell which won't be so empty come next Sunday.