Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Karen Spears Zacharias

Home
Evangelical
Church asks handicapped to Please stay home

Church asks handicapped to Please stay home

Last updated on: June 20, 2011 at 9:38 am by Karen Spears Zacharias

Church asks handicapped to Please stay home 2011-06-20T09:38:00+00:00 Karen Spears Zacharias

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

We were gathered around a tree in her front yard, yanking up saplings and grass-gone-wild by the roots. Ever since her husband got orders for Afghanistan, she’s had to take care of the yard and the house and the two juvenile dogs all by herself.

Then she went and messed up her ankle.

Broke it good.

Now she’s the one in a boot, only it’s not a combat one. It’s just that cumbersome kind that makes it hard to take care of a house, a yard and two dogs who demand attention.

The neighbors from four doors down were there, too. The neighbors, who’ve been faithful to help her, spent their Father’s Day cleaning out her flower bed.

“Is this a weed?” she asked me, pointing to a hairy-looking stalk.

“Yes,” I replied as I pulled it up from sandy soil.

The neighbor gal tossed a clump of stubborn grass into the nearly full trash bin. They were discussing church when I first arrived.

Where do you go to church? asked the neighbor gal.

Yonder over the hill, I replied.

Oh. My mother used to go there, she said. My sister, too.

Really, when? I asked.

Couple of years ago.

Oh. Wow. Perhaps I know her?

I don’t know, she said. Mom has a disease. She’s in a facility east of here now.

Oh. Gosh. I’m sorry. How old is she?

Fifty-four, she said.

That’s my age.

Yeah, the disease makes her flail about.

Oh. Yes. Of course. I know exactly who your mama is. I used to love to watch her worship.

They asked her to leave the church.

What? I exclaimed.

Yeah. My sister got a call one day and they asked that she not bring mom back to church because her flailing distracted people.

I am so, so, sorry. That was so wrong. I can’t believe that, I stuttered, embarrassed.

But my mind was racing — who had done this terrible thing?

Who had asked a daughter to please keep her mother and her spastic ways out of the church?

Perhaps the church sign ought to read: Asses always welcome. The handicapped not so much.

And now, here in the dark of night I sit, thinking, pondering. Where’s Don Miller and his confessional booth when you need one most?

If it’s true, and why would anybody make up such a horrific tale, what should my response be?

What would you do if this were your church community?

Previous Post

June 19, 2011

Father's Day

Next Post

June 22, 2011 Faking Faith

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category child abuse Military ministry pop culture prayer Sports Uncategorized Veterans Day

Select a Month July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz