Surviving the African Parent

 

This story was possible thanks to a wonderful young lady from the South. Have you ever been in a situation where your mom says "I'm blocking someone where I parked so when church is over hurry out" ? Have you ever, for that reason cut off a conversation with a friend (who you may or may not have seen in a while) and rushed off so you do not delay your mother. Have you gotten to the meeting point or the car and you didn't see her there. Or you saw her nearby and she was catching up with her friend? Did they take forever? They did, didn't they? Maybe her car wasn't blocking anyone's car and you didn't have to rush out. One thing doesn't change though... she still does the post church catch up with her Sunday friends. Its one of the constants of the week.

 

  I know it's early, but let's talk about the crossover service. It is really different for everyone. Some people have crossover services that end at 11P.M. on December 31st and everyone wishes everyone happy new year in advance before they go home. Some have fun crossovers filled with performances, light prayers, mild preaching and an awesome fireworks show at the end of the countdown. Some people arrive by 11:30 PM for crossover and leave before 1AM. There are people who do crossover virtually and switch off the TV the moment they shout 'Happy New Year!' Others are in church from five to five (yes. a twelve hour crossover service) praying their way into the new year. Some pray, see the fireworks and pray some more. Some pray so hard they miss the countdown and  fireworks. Some don't do the countdown and fireworks. While some don't do crossover. How your night before the new year?

 

  We've all heard it. We've all dreaded it.  When we just want to hop into the car after a quick prayer and leave for school, or travel somewhere, or just go back to what we were doing. 'Everlasting King of Glory' You hold on to hope until you hear 'Ancient of Days' and 'I am that I am'. "Well, that's that" you say to yourself. We all know when THAT prayer is going to end... Never O' clock. or maybe half past sleeptime. We've all had those prayers, maybe even said those prayers.  We also know who will say that prayer (or which people *insert crying emoji* will) when we initially form the prayer circle, so we brace ourselves. The good news is... we don't have to be those people. There are many relationships you can have with God aside from being a prayer warrior. You can have conversations with him and pray with him in your own way. Prayer is communication and you communicate with HIM the way you know how to.  Just don't for...

 

  Picture this. You are walking towards the teens church. You hear the music pouring out of the room- praise and worship has started. Or worse, there's no music. It's totally silent- preaching is about to begin. You take a deep breath knowing what is about to come.  You lift your head high... or drive your chin into your chest (depending on your personality) and... walk in. Then it happens.  It's like everyone you pass pauses to look at you. It's worse when the place is silent save the voice of the preacher and the 'click' resulting from your shoe hitting the hard floor. It's like a million fashion critics  are observing a model as she struts down the runway in the dress her designer prepared.  You can feel the tension from both the model and the designer.  The desire not to trip, the determination to pretend as if they are not affected.  Leave the catwalk.  It's not more than ten people staring and I'm feeling that pressure in church just because...