I went to church today...

I went to church today

Last year, Suzanne and I spoke of attending going

Instead, I attended alone

Missing Suzanne, regretting it never happened

Knowing we will never attend together.

After over a year of planning

I went in search of another church

With no idea what to expect at a

Biker church

My GPS couldn’t find.

Arriving late,

I parked in the field and walked through the doors

The student who invited us last year

The first person I saw.

Taking in the other sights

A pool table,

Plywood dividing walls,

And leather jackets, each with a patch.

I followed the sound of voices

Into the sanctuary ~

A big room filled with

Mismatched chairs.

A wooden platform up front

With a black and white painting of Jesus

wearing a crown of thorns as the backdrop.

A sea of blue jeans surrounded me

as song and harmony filled the room

accompanied today by an acoustic guitar.

Sharing the stage, a keyboard, drum set and electric guitar,

evidence of a church that rocks.

No fancy thrones for the pastor here.

Instead, he sat upon a vinyl Harley stool.

The preacher took the stage

hair in a braid down to his waist,

tattoo sleeve peeking out from under his short sleeve shirt,

wearing the uniform of the day, jeans.

He began talking about Revelations

tearing up with the thought of people perishing for eternity.

In the distance, the roar of a Harley,

He interrupted his sermon,

“Call of the wild, man!”

Back to his message without missing a beat.

Getting Jesus bumps as he shared the grace and peace Jesus brings.

Silver helmets were passed around

Collecting money to do service -

Most recently, remodeling a paraplegic’s house,

Whatever is needed to be of service to the community.

Addicts, shoplifters, people in chaos

joined in worship.

All in search of something.

Tears falling freely from many,

some called to the alter,

others lifted their hands heavenward

while the rest stayed seated.

All joined together

looking for peace

as prayer was lifted up.

The end of the service brought a loud

WWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Our search of peace and grace continued.

As I walked out the door,

I knew I would be back.

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