Do you cut your fingernails during the church service? No? I don't either.... but at church when I was in my teen years, someone cut their fingernails every Sunday morning..... and it could be heard all over the sanctuary - it really was quite loud. I never knew who was doing it, but I sure thought they were rude, inconsiderate, not paying attention to the sermon, etc.
You see, I would NEVER cut my fingernails during church... NEVER... and I think I felt rather self-righteous about it. Recently I talked to a friend who shared that a church she used to attend also had a person who clipped their fingernails during the church service. I was surprised to hear it as I thought there could only possibly be one person in the world who would do such a thing..... but I guess there were at least two such people.
I started thinking about it... and I still consider it rude and inconsiderate and think that they should be paying attention to the sermon, not just clipping their nails. As I thought about it though, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit about the times that I have created a mental grocery list during a sermon.... or planned out the afternoon's activities all the while sitting so nicely in the pew..... or made a mental list of what I needed to add to my To Do List at home.....or let my thoughts wander to something other than the sermon.
Those times were times when my thoughts wandered away from the Word of God.... away from the message being given.... away from whatever God wanted me to learn and they were wasted moments. They were times when I did not take my thoughts captive.
Noticing that cute little child peeking over the pew can be all it takes to derail our thoughts..... or wondering why another person isn't there today (Are they sick? Should I send a card?) can be all it takes to make us miss something important. Making a quick note of the thought that needs to be dealt with so that I can keep my attention on the sermon works well... I can remember to check on the person later... not right at the moment.
No, I would never clip my fingernails during church..... and I am doing much better about not being distracted during the sermons.... but I know I need to be vigilant to keep my mind focused on what I can learn during church- I need to always "bring every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Shared on:
Intentional at Home Thursday
Funtastic Friday
City of Links
Foodie Friday and Everything Else
Thank Goodness It's Thursday
Paula's No Rules Weekend Party
Hearts For Home
Thriving On Thursday
Wise Woman Link Up
Homemaking Link Up
Wordless Wednesday
Roses of Inspiration
Tuesday Talk
Mostly Homemade Monday
Good Morning Monday
What'd You Do This Weekend?
Soul Survival
Art of Homemaking
Saturday Soiree
Think Tank Thursday
Hearts For Home
Thriving Thursday
Homeacre Hop
The Homemaking Party
A Little R & R
Wise Woman Link Up
Winsome Wednesday
Art Of Homemaking Mondays
Titus 2 Tuesday
Do Tell Tuesday
Hip Homeschool Hop
Titus 2sdays
Making Your Home Sing
Monday Musings
Homestead Barn Hop
Fulfilled Fridays
Soul Survival
Sharing His Beauty
My mind wanders less when I'm fidgeting. I'm sure to others it looks like I'm not paying attention, but I am. I always try to find silent things to do. There are times when other people do distract me, or I get lost in my thoughts, continually check the clock and start planning dinner. This is a good reminder, that no matter what I do, I need to stay focused during church.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving your linkup at Fulfilled Fridays!
So glad you visited..... there is so much activity in our lives that the idea of being still and silent is quite foreign, but important.... it is so easy to stay busy all of the time.
DeleteWhat a fabulous reminder! Do you take notes in church? I never used to, but I've discovered that it really helps me to focus. It also has the benefit of giving me something look back at later in the week.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do.... I have several notebooks of notes from many years and you're right, that does help..... it also helps to make it "stick" in my thoughts better when I have heard it AND written it out. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteThis is a post I definitely needed to read! I'm so prone to being critical of others, but my mind is not on the sermon when I'm doing that. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteGood point! So glad you visited and commented. Thank you. :)
DeleteI think there must be 3 of those people. There was a guy at the church we went to when we were first married who used to do it, too. (Either that, or he really gets around, lol!)
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny!... maybe he does get around a lot! :) Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteWow, I can't imagine clipping finger nails in church! And how humbled to realize I have done some of the things you mentioned too (a to-do list perhaps...). Thank you for sharing this important reminder on the Art of Home-Making Mondays Joy! Please join in again this week :)
ReplyDeleteThat "To Do List" is so easy to compose anywhere... including church - sure takes self control to deny ourselves. Thank you for visiting.... and for the lovely link up. :)
DeleteI am guilty of letting my thoughts wander in church so I always pray that God would seize my heart and mind and keep them focused on Him. And I've never heard of someone clipping their fingernails in church but I guess it happens. ;-) Visiting from Good Morning Mondays.
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to do... taking those thoughts captive is such an ongoing thing! :) So glad you visited.
DeleteMy husband is a pastor, and he's told me there is somebody in our church that he sees clipping nails in church frequently. I can't hear it over my children, though! I'm glad he hasn't told me who it is, and I certainly can't imagine anybody in our church doing it!
ReplyDeleteIt always surprises me to see such things that seem so obviously out of place... and I wonder HOW someone could justify doing that. I'm sure your husband sees a lot of odd stuff. :) God must laugh at us sometimes... we are so... human. :)
DeleteThe church that I attend is very loose on the matter of decorum. Many, many of our members are recent ex convicts, active addicts seeking and receiving help and/or those who have trouble fitting in to more conventional church services. We allow coffee and food to be brought into the sanctuary during service and even encourage youth and adults to indulge in crayon coloring at a table up front, once a month. I'm sure we've had nail clippers, knitters, sketchers, even whisperers during services. We have a motto on the wall of our sanctuary; "Where God will undoubtedly change you, but you are welcome just the way you are." I've attended several churches, as a member, in my life but this one is the finest and most loving bunch of people I have ever known!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your church has a niche that it fills very nicely.... that's great. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteIt's so easy to focus on what others are doing 'wrong' and not see past our own noses. The plank in the eye syndrome I guess.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter.
Diana
I think you are right. :) We never see our own problem as quite as big or bad as another's problem. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteMy dear friend, thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. There is a lady at my church who does the same thing, but after reading your post you have given me much to ponder :) Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with ROI. Hugs!
I am surprised to hear of another person who does this... I admit I am glad no one does that where I go to church now...... Thank you for your very sweet comment. :)
Delete