I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of C.M.E. Sundays before but these are three times during the year that enjoy a surge in church attendance. In this instance, it stands for Christmas, Mother’s Day and Easter.

These historically have not been my favorite services to attend because they never feel quite right to me. For years they felt like a showcase, an open house if you will, where those who attend regularly attempt to advertise Jesus for those who are not in the habit of attending church.

The program is longer, there are usually speeches and plays, there are beautiful hats that you reconcile with viewing the entire service because you can’t see over or around them from the pews, especially at Easter Service. This service used to mean a new dress, new shoes, a visit to the beauty shop for a date with a hotcomb and lots of extra practices to learn Easter speeches which are not my favorite childhood memories though I understand the utility of them now.

As adults, these 3 Sundays are times we typically opt to donate our parking space to make room  for those CME Christians who we knew would likely not be back the following week. I know, not the best idea but these services had a knack for really messing with us.

I am not sure why, but this year was different.

We went to the regular 11am worship service and yes, it was clear that there were some CMEs up in there. We were actually early 😱. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t distracted by any of the things that triggered me in years past. I instead focused on my purpose for being in the House of God, which is where my focus should always should be. 

I am thankful that we went and that we did so joyfully. We have a lot to be grateful for in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. I pray that those who did visit a church yesterday heard something that touched their hearts and urged them to do more than just visit a few times per year. 

~ Marta C. Youngblood