The Moments That Matter Most | Teen Ink

The Moments That Matter Most

June 7, 2012
By JustListen PLATINUM, Santa Maria, California
JustListen PLATINUM, Santa Maria, California
33 articles 1 photo 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Don't think or judge. Just listen."


I went to two different churches.

One last night; and one this morning.

There are some things I do not understand.

In the first church,

People sang, sat, prayed, and

..Just listened.

Imagine that.

People laughed at his jokes and the pastor did not wear robes and drapery of white and gold.

He just wore a suit and tie, he was very nice.

I did not understand why congregation laughed when they did.

Old people jokes. Ugh.

The message was simple but I felt like it ran on and on.

People applauded and went out on their way.

Who knows who was sitting in the pews?

A murderer?

A teen mom?

A transvestite?

A person in need of a savior.

But it didn't matter, people went out to claim their kids..

They were giving away free corn dogs.

People felt changed.

Some didn't.

Some only come for Easter and Christmas, as if you would be getting a "Godly" detention for missing.

The pastor even said, "I might as well just say, 'See ya at Christmas.'"

I thought it was funny.

The service was ending just as the sun was rising in Jerusalem.

The second service I attended was Easter morning in America.

It was just me and my sister.

We had to stand in the back because there wasn't enough room.

Some people wore stilettos that I thought would break ankles.

I was relieved to see that no one was wearing a Hawaiian shirt with khakis.

They sang in the beginning, words that I recognized from the other church,

It was pretty but in a different arrangement.

They did things I did not understand.

They crossed themselves with Holy water.

They flicked a can with smoke in the air.

I think..

I was baptized, given communion, and blessed all in one service.

Phew.

They talked quickly, and recited words I did not know..

I went to Catholic church when I was little.

I went into autopilot.

I did the best I could.

I sang the chorus to songs.

People bowed before entering the pews.

I remember doing that.

People walked out reverently.

Like they had a purpose.

Some simply walked out after communion; like they had payed enough tribute to the Lord.

Others looked like they were just phasing out of autopilot mode like myself,

Exhausted from trying to keep up with the scriptures being recited.

Me and my sister walked out, and realized we had two hours to kill before heading over to my grandma's.

We went to the McDonalds behind the church.

We bought dollar drinks. The total was $2.18.

She began to freak out saying, "Find 18 cents! I do not want to have to break another dollar!"

We searched about two minutes right in front of the window man.

I threw my chair back in defeat, and kicked my shoes, lined with rips and tears, off.

My sister somberly handed me my Dr. Pepper; placed her lemonade in her cup holder and said,

"...We just killed a dollar."

I had to laugh.

Who thinks up these tax amounts? So tedious.

We drove on through town; singing our hearts out to the radio.

I let my hair down.

I swung both my feet out the window, and admired my toenails that were sloppily painted.

I mentally noted this had to be repainted later.

I let my dress ride up to my thighs and I didn't care.

I let myself go.

I had an amazing sister beside me and a Dr. Pepper in hand.

The universe was with me for once. Jesus was with me.

And I knew...

I knew at that moment, everything was going to be alright.

It was the bubbly feeling of happiness that you always hope to recreate.

It was the radio playing all the perfect songs.

It was me and my sister laughing together; a harmony between us.

It was the feeling of the sun on my tanned legs.

It was my perfect spring morning.

It was one of the moments that matter most..


The author's comments:
This one's for Kasey..

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