I Was Wrong About Saving Seats At Church

One of the worst arguments my wife and I have ever had took place on a Christmas Eve early in our marriage.  We were coming back from the Singing Christmas Tree (I’m showing my age) and arguing over whether you should save seats for people or not.

You see the place was packed and we were saving five seats for people who always run late.  I was forced to tell countless people, “No you can’t sit here.”  It seemed as if each exchanged resulted in people looking at me in an even more disgusted manner.

Saving seats in a crowded church has long been one of my pet peeves.  All I can think of is here is someone who may be attending the church for the first time in years, facing a heartbreaking situation, and just wanting someone to show them compassion.  And all I can say is, “You are not welcome here.  I am not sliding over for you.  I don’t want you sitting next to me.” 

But something happened this past weekend that has forever changed my mind and made me realize that I was wrong.

There is a church I regularly attend on Sunday evenings that is completely full, has people sitting on the floors, and people in an overflow room.  I usually arrive early so I can sit in a certain section.  Recently, someone has been getting there literally seconds before me and laying down 10-12 handwritten reserve notes forcing me to sit somewhere else.  I am ultimately fine with this but you know how I feel about saving seats and telling people “No” at church.

In an interesting twist, I actually sat next to the person who saves these seats.  I asked, “What’s the story with the seats?”  His answer floored me.

This individual lives across the street from the church and had gotten out of rehab.  The seats are saved for all the people he met while there.  He used to go around in a van, pick them all up, and bring them to church.  His friends recently decided to pick them up and let him get there early to save the seats since he lives near the church.

Many in this group had never attended church and have now given their life to Christ.  They now have a future and a hope. 

It’s been a long time since I felt so small and narrow-minded.  By the end of the conversation with this incredible individual I had done a complete 180 and was actually telling others these seats were saved.  Matter of fact, I hope this guy saves a complete section one day.  I know I’m rooting for him.

When it now comes to the subject of saving seats, I will never view a saved seat the same way again.  Sometimes we can get “too smart” or be “too strategic”.  Who knows the real back-story that is going on.  I was wrong.

What have you changed your mind about recently regarding your Christian faith?

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