Traditions

Hmm, well, I'm in no way an expert on this topic, its just something I've been thinking about over these past few weeks. Thinking about, struggling with, trying to figure it all out.

As a young Christian, I think I quickly grew to resent tradition. Why, I'm not really sure. The church I got saved into was fairly traditional. So really I knew no other way. But in my "wise youth" (if there really is such a thing), I figured I knew better. So I went on an anti-tradition rant.

Even today, deep down, the rebel in me still struggles with tradition. And what do I mean by tradition, well all sorts of things. Ushers, dedications, church boards, cheesy Christian analogies, denominations. I know, I mean come on Holly, what is the church without these things??? Ha, ha.

And as of late, I've been struggling with holidays. Namely the latest one, Easter. What does it all mean? Why do I need one day of the year to celebrate something that I should be celebrating daily? Is this man's way or God's way? What does God think of all the hub bub? To be honest, I still don't really know.

On Easter Sunday, I had a good chat with a dear friend, and I think she helped me find some perspective. She said she had begun to appreciate tradition. She told be a bit about the Christian calendar and the meaning of all the various holidays from that perspective. When you look at the old testament you see people continually repeating all of the incredible things God had done. Parting the Red Sea, bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, sending down manna, water from a rock, etc, etc. And she pointed out that they needed to do this, because they so quickly forgot.

Fast forward 2000 or so years. Here we are in our high tech, fast-paced world. Do you know what you ate for dinner last night? The Tuesday before who did you talk to on the phone? September 2007, what incredible things did God do in your life? Exactly.

We so quickly forget, just as the Israelites did. So I think she helped me see that, yes, Easter is only one day of the year, but at least its one day. Ideally we wake up every morning and proclaim that "He is Risen." Reality is...we don't. Or at least I know I don't.

So cynical me. Struggling with celebrating Easter. Partially because of the tradition of it, but also because I think I don't fully grasp, or perhaps appreciate, what it means for me. Something that I need to focus on. Because for me, I don't want celebrating Christ's death and resurrection to be a one day thing, but to be reflected daily in my life. And maybe the answer is so simple, but sometimes I can't wrap my mind around what that means.

The other night I was lying in bed pondering all of this. And really, you must understand I'm in no way a theologian or a philosopher. That stuff generally makes my head hurt. But what did come to me, I imagine via God in his wisdom, "There is nothing wrong with tradition, as long as it turns us to Him." Perhaps this is ridiculously simple, but for my little mind, it was fairly deep and profound.

So really, I'm not going to get on my soap box in the church parking lot and rant about church boards, or even a baby being dedicated. And don't get me wrong, I do know that dedicating a baby is in the bible, I just struggle with the way I often see it done. Church is full of people, and as people, we create tradition, for various reasons. But church boards, the term "usher," heck, even Lent, they all kind of drive me crazy.

Yet, the reality is, none of these are salvation issues. Even though I personally will never identify myself with a denomination, I know that is important to some people, and as I grow older, I am learning to respect that. And maybe, just a bit, learn to appreciate all of it too.

In my first church there was an older gentleman who all of us teens named "Grandpa Candy" (well, actually that's just what he was called). He always had these mints in his pockets. He would hand them out to us and all the kids. Probably not exactly foodsafe, but I think it was more about the sentiment.

Fast forward 12 years, in our new church (we recently began attending a different church) there is this little old guy, who reminds me of Grandpa Candy. I'm sure they are brothers. His job is to count the Sunday morning attendance. So picture Sunday morning - the sanctuary is rocking with worship, banners are waving, people are dancing, hands are raised.

Along comes Grandpa Candy #2. He's dressed up to the nines in his navy blue suit, and dress shoes. His hair is slicked back, probably the same way he's been doing it for 50 years. In his hand he has this tiny little notebook. I think he likes to think he is fairly stealth, but in my mind, he sticks out like a sore thumb. And the best part is when someone stops to say Hi to him. You can tell he has to stop to remember what number he is at, and then says Hi. And every Sunday, when I see him doing his counting, I smile. Not only does he remind me of Grandpa Candy, but he reminds me of the fact that even in this day and age, tradition can be a good, actually no, a great thing.