I love church. I don’t love after church. All the after-church parts feel sad. There’s the say a token hello to my new friend and her… husband part. There’s the head down as I dig for keys in my purse part. There’s the look around to see if I know anybody but see only everybody knowing everybody else part. There’s the oh well and weave to the door part. There’s the where did I park my car this time part. There’s the walk alone through the lot part. There’s the very long 10 minute drive part. It’s enough to rob the I love church part.

Today though, I thought I heard my name during my car search. Did someone call my name? Should I turn around to see? Sure enough, there is Don. He’s calling me. He’s looking directly at me. Me. He invites me to the playground where our joint grandchildren will embark soon. I smile and gratefully join him. We and some others share some minutes joying over children. Don is part of the I love church part. He happys up the sad.

On the not quite as long 10 minute drive home, I thank God for Don. That he called my name. That he u-turned me and erased an after church part. I thank God that He is with me after church and helping me thank Him after church.