I stood at the end of the row in front of the pew struggling to rid my mind of all the thoughts whirling around. Instead of worshiping God, I was thinking about how I had angrily responded to my husband that morning, about how the kids had fought all the way to church, and about the lesson we were teaching the three-year-olds in the next service. Finally, I shut my eyes so that I could concentrate on praying those great words we were singing of “How Great Thou Art.” I was alone in a sea of black soaking in the beautiful music as I sang out the words.
About the middle of the second verse I felt something on my arm. I woke up as if from a dream, turned my head and looked right smack into a set of eyeballs. What happened next was completely involuntary. I jumped up and down flailing my arms wildly and shrieking a high pitched sing-songy scream. I couldn’t stop. It was as if I could hear and see myself reacting wildly but was powerless to stop. I felt the stares and heard the snickers. When I finally stopped, I could no longer move. The lady was still standing there and I had no idea what she wanted.
My senses finally beginning to return, I realized she was trying to get past us to sit in the middle of the pew, so I finally walked into the aisle. My husband and daughter, however, still stood blocking the way, looking straight ahead and refusing to acknowledge they knew me. I had to walk back and pull on them saying, “They’re trying to get through.” Oh, how I would have liked to be invisible right about then.
Of all the times I have embarrassed myself, this would be the first time I screamed in the middle of a worship service in a huge church full of people. No one else would do such a thing, would they? My sweet daughter later exclaimed, “Yes, I was very embarrassed.” Poor thing. She is only nine and already ashamed of her mother, though in this case, who could blame her?
I met my future brother-in-law at church. My sister was so excited to introduce the whole family to him and my first experience of him was during worship, with the loon (in the aisle) roaring like a lion. Well, that’s what it sounded like to me, anyway! So, yours doesn’t sound that bad, although it must have been hilarious. I would have probably been writhing on the floor laughing. I hope you’re in a church where most of the people know you well!
Oh my goodness…I’m sorry for you and your family (and for the poor lady who was trying to get by you), but yet I’m still laughing out loud. Thanks for the laugh this morning.
That made my day! So sorry for you though! Thanks for sharing!
Oh gosh that’s funny! Sorry you were embarassed, but of course that sort of stuff happens to the best of us 🙂
You were really in the spirit of worship! I admire that! It’s no doubt embarassing now, but it will be humorous later! Good story. wb
Oh Esther, I feel bad admitting it, but I just had to laugh. You poor thing, that would have scared me as well!
I think I was singing in the choir that day. How could I have missed your “performance”?!
Carly, I’m glad to hear that the scene didn’t make it all the way up to the choir! We were near the back so at least the fall out was relatively small considering!
Wow, that is funny. My first thought is, “That’s what that woman gets for arriving late.” Maybe she’ll think twice before doing it the next time. I’ve never done anything quite like that, but I’ve had times where my mind has wandered into thinking, “What would happen if I just started yelling?” Not a malicious thing to do, just curiosity.
Good lesson for the woman for coming in late for church service! hahaha… But, girl, I don’t know what I’d do if I were there with you. I probably couldn’t stop giggling about it. hehe… thanks for the good laugh, Esther! Be blessed!
You poor thing! I think I would have died right there on the spot. And your daughter’s reaction priceless. Don’t worry your pretty head little one Mama will embarrass you many more times in the coming years. Then you will wake up one day and realize she wasn’t all that bad..
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Rachel
Oh no, I felt so sorry for the poor unsuspecting lady. The worst part is that I embarrassed her as well! I’m sure we are late much more often. Though I do hate to walk in late, it’s tough to get everyone ready and out the door on time!
At least the lady, and everyone who was around knows you were giving all to Him at the time. That is a funny moment, though. I would cherish it for it shows your unwavering love for the Lord. You are a wonderful example to your daughter. Keep praising Him with all your heart. Blessings to you and your family, Esther.
LOVE this! Enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for all the laughs!
Britton’s Apple Tree
“Only God knows how many apples are in one seed.”
How funny:) There will be many more things you do that will embarrass your kids in the future:) Hope your day got better after this:)
Well, if that’s the worst thing you do to ever embarrass your daughter, she’ll be lucky!
hope you have a lovely day Esther:)
Ouch. Well, all I can say is that is was good payback for all the times I’m sure your kids have embarrassed you. 🙂
A priceless “Esther moment.” You probably didn’t scream as long or as loud as it seemed at the moment. At least the congregation was singing– weren’t they? It would be worse in the middle of the sermon.
How come things that happen to you are things that would TOTALLY happen to me??? LOL I’m sorry you embarrassed your 9 year-old. I do that quite often to my 11 and 9 year-olds. Poor things are too afraid to admit they know me in public.
LOL!!! I love it! I’ve embarrassed myself more times than I care to say…
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Why is it that in a place where we’re known and welcomed, like church, we still feel so embarrassed to be late or make a scene? . . . I can’t close my eyes all the way when I pray or at all when sing because I tend to drift away! It’s not good for the folks around me.
LOL… you probably scared that poor lady to death. My kids often get embarrassed by what I do too….I tell them “just wait until you get my age”…haha
I absolutely love this story. I can only imagine the scene. (ha ha)
Clay
http://tantrumstroublesandtreasures.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-do-i-know.html
Wow, you were really into the moment! LOL! That’s a good thing! Sounds like she scared you really good!
🙂 Love it! It actually made me laugh out loud for real to read this. I especially love the quote from your daughter at the end!
Oh, Dear Esther. You crack me up. I’ve said it before, I know, but you continue to do so.
I will often imagine what would happen if I was sitting there in church and a snake slithered on my foot. Would I get up and scream? Um – Y.E.S!!! Church or no church. I would scream flailing my arms before passing out.
Lol. That is too funny. It sounds like something I’d do!
Oh, how funny but embarrassing. Worse we ever had at Church our two older boys (then both under 4) fell out of the pew during the Consecration (we’re Catholic). Why did they fall out? They were wrestling!! It was so embarrassing. I figure God must really think we need to be humbled & purified. I blame all the fun before kids 😉
At least it’s not on YouTube! Fortunately, those sorts of things seem funnier the farther away in time they are. I don’t tend to make noise when I embarrass myself, but I’m good at tripping and falling when I have on dress shoes I’m not used to wearing. And I’ve done that more than once!