Monday Musings are a simple break from the norms of this blog to address or arm-chair quarterback an issue.
Being Affectionate During Church
As a child I remember my dad sitting pretty close to my mom throughout the service. She would even lean in on him periodically during the sermon and share a Bible. They would even hold hands walking into the sanctuary. This wasn't every Sunday, but I do many remember many young couples would comment that they wanted to be like my parents when they got older as a couple.
So, I have found myself doing the 'yawning-technique' many times to draw Jessica a touch closer during the exposition of God's Word. I often get her hair caught in my arm, and I have to do delicate dance to make sure I don't turn a move of affection into a move torture. However, I grab her hand at times and she rubs my back when I lean forward in the pew to listen. I do not think I am being distracting or feel that I am over doing it either. I love my wife. I love her affection. I want my kids and others know, this is my woman.
Thinking contextually and socially, I also fully understand that I am not on a romantic dinner or in my bedroom. There are clear unspoken rules of this affection. I do not think God is glorified or is being worshipped when I am being distracted or distracting my spouse, or another onlooker.
However, aren't we also saying something when we 'are not ' affectionate to our spouses? What message are sending when we sit pews apart from each other? What preventive measures are established when we simply put our arms around our spouses? What reassurance are we giving?
At a concert long ago, Jessica and I stood close together during a climatic worship service. I leaned over and kissed her, and said. "I know we will not be married in heaven, however I really want you standing close to me there too!"
Being Affectionate During Church
As a child I remember my dad sitting pretty close to my mom throughout the service. She would even lean in on him periodically during the sermon and share a Bible. They would even hold hands walking into the sanctuary. This wasn't every Sunday, but I do many remember many young couples would comment that they wanted to be like my parents when they got older as a couple.
So, I have found myself doing the 'yawning-technique' many times to draw Jessica a touch closer during the exposition of God's Word. I often get her hair caught in my arm, and I have to do delicate dance to make sure I don't turn a move of affection into a move torture. However, I grab her hand at times and she rubs my back when I lean forward in the pew to listen. I do not think I am being distracting or feel that I am over doing it either. I love my wife. I love her affection. I want my kids and others know, this is my woman.
Thinking contextually and socially, I also fully understand that I am not on a romantic dinner or in my bedroom. There are clear unspoken rules of this affection. I do not think God is glorified or is being worshipped when I am being distracted or distracting my spouse, or another onlooker.
However, aren't we also saying something when we 'are not ' affectionate to our spouses? What message are sending when we sit pews apart from each other? What preventive measures are established when we simply put our arms around our spouses? What reassurance are we giving?
At a concert long ago, Jessica and I stood close together during a climatic worship service. I leaned over and kissed her, and said. "I know we will not be married in heaven, however I really want you standing close to me there too!"
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