I have a theological question or a “things that make you go hmmm.” Remember Arsenio Hall? My church serves wine and grape juice during communion-- the wine for the more “traditional” members and the grape juice is for those not liking the wine. I think this simple act is a blessing for the recovering alcoholics who pledge never to let alcohol pass through their lips again. But what about the recovering grainiac? What about us? This thought never even dawned on me until yesterday.
During our communion service, I was staring down at a tray of little white pockets of bread-- the very bread I have given up. I thought one little piece won’t hurt so I went to pick up the top little pocket. Of course! It was stuck to several little pockets of bread. I can never catch a break! So there I am desperately trying to shake loose one little piece of bread. Meanwhile the next congregant is smiling patiently waiting for the tray. Finally I drop the cluster of bread pockets and pick up a little lone piece from the side. I know, you are thinking sanitation, but I started thinking about gluten allergies. What about those people? Do they skip communion? I mentioned this thought to Rev. Hubby and told him that next communion service, I was going to bring an almond. Hey, it’s the same color as bread and let’s face it: you should have your head bowed and be praying….not staring at me crunching on an almond! So being the pastoral person he is, Rev. Hubby raises his arms and declares “The Almond of Heaven.” I retorted that nowhere in the Bible does it mention grape juice either. We like having theological discussions like that!
For those of us without the allergies (I’m not allergic to gluten, I just don’t like what it does to my waistline), how can we be prepared for these instances? It goes back to that darn 4-letter word I have such a time remembering…. PLAN. I mean, really, why can’t I be one step ahead of myself? Any ideas for me?
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