Dear PPPC –

See you in church.

While this is a general statement, probably used by pastors everywhere one hundred times over, it recently dawned on me that my use of it comes from my Dad. It is not something I remember him saying (although maybe he did). It is something I associate with him because it’s printed on the back of a long-sleeve t-shirt that he’s been wearing for over a decade, maybe two.

The t-shirt is from Booches, a 140-year old pool hall in Columbia, MO, where I grew up. I’ve been there a couple of times with friends over the years – it’s locally and regionally famous for its burgers. Trust me, it’s one of the last places in Columbia you would expect to have a t-shirt that reads, Closed on Sunday. See you in church. But, it does. Over the years, I’ve seen it so many times, it’s stuck in my head like a refrain.

It’s stuck in my head like….

…the refrain of “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind.” (Matt 22:27)

…the lyrics to a Taylor Swift song.

….”What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

….the rousing pre-game speech from the movie, Miracle, “Great moments are born from great opportunity….”

“…there is nothing in life, and certainly not death, that can separate you from the love of God in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 8:39)

It’s ingrained in my mind and written on my heart. Closed on Sunday, See you in Church. I wonder if it’s a secular experience akin to what’s proclaimed through the holy scriptures, “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Hebrews 8:10b).

There are refrains, scriptural and secular, that become written on our hearts. What are some of yours?

Open on Sunday.
See you in church.

Yours for the journey,
Pastor Molly