Have you ever been in a church service when the Preacher asks all to bow their heads while asking for a show of hands given at the invitation of his sermon? I usually have to fight back a smile on my bowed face. The smile has nothing to do with the invitation but rather hearing the preacher say, “Yes, I see that hand.” I always try to imagine just how many hands, if any, are raised. I mean, who would really know!
In the year 2000, our family had the privilege of relocating from the Midwest, where we had lived for over 25 years, to the Southwest. Our family of seven moved temporarily onto the campus of Christ for The Nations in Dallas, Texas to serve and work. Our first fall, after having been on campus for five short months, we were attending an annual worship conference which drew a packed house. On one particular evening my husband, Tony, I and our two youngest children had come to take in one of the night sessions. Our older children were participating in the conference, along with a host of gifted speakers, skilled musicians and vocalists. Because my husband was on staff, we had reserved seats in the audience along with other staff and faculty. It’s funny that I can vividly remember exactly where we sat that crowded evening. I was positioned in the middle of a row with our two youngest children and my husband and other Christ for the Nations staff. Next to me was the president of the school and his wife and others. The meeting was magnificent and everyone seemed caught up in the presence of the Lord and our worship of Him.
During the evening one of the speakers requested that we take the hand of the person on the right and left of us and pray a blessing over them. I love interactive church services and the joy of speaking a blessing on anyone around me. So, I intensely took on the assignment to pray and bless. After the prayer I let go of the hand on my right but continued to hold tightly to my husband’s hand. While I listened to the speaker I began to play handsies with my husband. After all, I am a woman and I could do two things at once and not miss a beat!
We have a tradition in our family and know how to talk to each other in unique ways. For example, three taps with the finger means I love you. One little pinch means a kiss and, of course, a squeeze is a hug. I did them all! Strangely though, my husband never responded.
After quite an ample amount of time communicating with my husband, I finally let go of his rather unaffectionate hand and turned my undivided attention to the rest of the conference service. I never thought another thing about the whole incident until before bed that night at home. Curiously, I asked my husband, “Tony? Did you bless me tonight at the conference? ” His answer was “No”. Not fully satisfied, I asked another question. “Did you pray for me tonight at any time in the service?” His answer was the same. Dumbfounded and growing quickly sick to my stomach, I asked one final question. “Tony? Did you by any chance leave the meeting tonight for any reason?” “Yes”, he replied. “I took the children to the restroom.”
Who on earth had I played handsies with from the staff of this international ministry, I McWondered? My earnest and utmost prayer is that I would never know!! Gratefully, to this day, no one has ever identified themselves at Christ for The Nations as the one whose hand I so fondly held that fall night. If only I had seen that hand!!
When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!
