Be a Dork for Jesus
I have a secret.
Sometimes I skip church. I shoo my kids into the van with super husband and watch out the window as they drive away.
Here is what I am not going to do while they are gone—carve out time to work on my novel, crawl back into my fleece sheets for another two hours of much-needed sleep, or click on the TV to watch my favorite show.
Let me paint a picture of my Sunday morning.
After the Honda’s backside veers left on Quail Creek, I open all the curtains in the kitchen and family room, get the coffee going, light my twisted peppermint candle, and slip into my pink footie fleece pajamas—the ones with the hood that Pat bought me for Christmas. The ones that make me look like a walking cupcake. But I’m alone this morning, so I don’t care.
Here’s where it gets good.
I plug my iPod into the speakers on the kitchen counter, under the coffee mugs, and scroll to my Worship Playlist. Hit the button and crank it LOUD. Music floods the house in a private concert where God stands center stage.
Attendees and groupies include me, two sassy black cats, a tired chocolate lab, a naughty little Pomeranian, and the two fish that haven’t yet succumbed to starvation in the tank by the phone.
The perk of this particular audience? I can set my iPod on repeat and listen to Light Up The Sky by The Afters thirty times in a row without anyone yelling, “Turn it off.”
And like all great concerts, the hours I spend here are filled with excited screaming, emotion-driven crying, exultant dancing, and top-of-the-lungs singing. Add in a little heart pounding amazement when God meets me in this room. He doesn’t care that I’m twirling around the tile like a puffy pink pastry. My appearance at His concert brings Him joy.
The icing on the pastry? Quoting scripture out loud from passages the Lord leads me to as I worship.
There. It isn’t a secret anymore. Kyle, Alek, Maddy you laughing? That’s okay. I’m a dork for Jesus. And sorry to say, collective gasp, it’s better than church every time!
In case you were wondering about the scripture I shouted around my walls this morning, here it is.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV).
Go ahead. Give it a try. Shout it out! Be a dork for Jesus.
17 Comments
Elizabeth Byler Younts
You are so cool. 🙂 I love this!!!!!!
Lori Freeland
Cool or not smart enough to be embarrassed 🙂
Jenny
Praise the Lord. Amen, sister. I’m an Elvis Presley freak. My Sunday concert (and any other time the Spirit moves me) includes his versions of “Help Me” and “Crying in the Chapel”. I can totally relate…minus the pink fuzzy slippers. 🙂
Gloria Richard
This confirms what I knew all along, Lori.
No. I had no way of knowing you owned Ralphie (The Christmas Story) jammies.
I knew all along that it doesn’t take a building to celebrate and draw strength from God.
On Wings of Eagles is one of my favorites, btw. They play the refrain at the end of service each Sunday. I always leave church feeling as if I can fly with the eagles.
Lori Freeland
Love that song, too!
Brinda
I love this post and I can see you now in the pink pajamas. God wants his worship anywhere that when it comes from the heart. 🙂
Lori Freeland
Thank you! You need some pink pajamas!
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Love it!
A friend was just telling me how when she speaks aloud the Word that peace enters her house. I think you are definitely on to something.
God is good1
Lori Freeland
I agree. It’s peace that only comes from the Lord.
Michelle D Keyes
As much as I love church, I do something similar sometimes. There are times when I just put on some Tenth Avenue North and let the beautiful music and feeling of God’s love surround me. I close my eyes and sing the words aloud and in my heart and soul as loud as I can. Sometimes I need that more than worshiping and learning in church – just that feeling of connection with Him.
Lori Freeland
I’m glad I’m not the only “dork” out there!
Vladimir
You are quite OK Lori. God bless you and your family.
Lori Freeland
Thank you!
Sherry Isaac
I love to crank my Michael W Smith instrumental CD, Freedom, and I play my Touched by an Angel Christmas CD all year long, whenever I need a spiritual lift.
Lori Freeland
That’s awesome! I love Michael W. Smith.
April
Hi,
I was just wondering if you have considered looking for another church? I don’t say this lightly or to be contentious…
We get to be “dorks” at our church. We have one hour of worship with great, loud music, with girls jumping around on one side and the guys on the other (and most of the rest of the congregation standing and swaying in their seats). We read scripture outloud together and even all pray outloud our own prayers for a couple of minutes.
And God ALWAYS meets me there.
Lori Freeland
I think you may have missed the point–being alone with God. I have three kids that I homeschool so any alone time in my house is few and far between. I love my church but sometimes I love to be alone with my God more.