In-dis-pen-sa-ble

One time, I was tagging along with my dad and I happen to overhear him talk to some brethren in our congregation. I must have been 10 or 11. My dad used to be a head deacon in the Church. The meeting of the deacons and deaconesses were at the same time as our children's choir practice. It must have been right after that when we went to the chapel caretaker's apartment. They were discussing that there were those who think that they do so much for the congregation that without them the congregation would not be able to go on. My dad said, "Wala namang indispensable sa Iglesia." (Nobody is indispensable inside the Church).

Our head deacon stepped down from his duty recently. I don't really know why and I did not ask. I just hope that a part of him did not think that the congregation cannot go on without him. I suspect that after a time of reflection he would resume his office shortly. Maybe nobody really can do all that he does, but for sure the other brethren will fill in. It was very heartwarming to see last Sunday how the other brethren came together to make sure the place of worship is ready. It was indeed a beautiful sight to see them making the preparations together in unity.

I was just thinking on the way to Church that day that no matter how almost weary I get, I would not quit from my duties. I pray hard for strength. There's a line from a poem, "rest if you must, but don't you quit". I have been late for choir practice assembly or choir drill three times in the last month. The minister had exhorted us that we should always be on time. I thought I was gonna be late again last Sunday, so I was already preparing in my head a request for a vacation. Maybe I do need some rest. But then I was thinking I don't really have an excuse to be late. I am single. I don't have a child to dress. I don't have a husband to cook breakfast for. All the other choir members are wives and mothers. They tell stories how they have to get up early, make sure their family's clothes are prepared, make sure the house is in order before they leave, and they get to the choir practice with time to spare! I think I just have a mutation in the punctuality gene (and the cooking and the cleaning genes..);).

Then as I was rushing to dress into my choir robe, being the clumsy person that I am, I dropped my stuff. But one of the sisters helped me gather my stuff and offered to carry my bag. It's always nice to know that at times that I feel almost weary there's always someone given to help me along. And I go on again cheerfully and faithfully for yet another day :).

Here's a part of a hymn we sang:

Bless my hope that it may never waver,
Bless my faith whatever befalls;
And within Your Church, my precious Savior,
Bless my love to overcome all.