Yes we are allowed to smile at church

When I was little I used to go to church with my Grandmother. It was a very serious affair. Hats and gloves: children seen but not heard. Little wonder church and I parted ways when I was about 11 but the great thing was God and I didn’t part ways. And we journeyed together to this place in my life. And proof that God has a sense of humour I am now an Anglican priest. This brings me to a comment made by someone yesterday.” I enjoyed the service it was uplifting and fun”. And then the person said “church doesn’t have to be serious all the time”. Well said that person. Worshiping God is a serious business but we worship God with our wholes self-including the parts that laugh. Jesus loves us - all of us and calls us to be honest in who we are in worship. I was thinking if he didn’t love each and every part of us I probably wouldn’t be here. Reminds me of that really old Sunday School song “Jesus loves me, this I know” I wonder sometimes about those who don’t know.