Trying to Get in This Place for Years

Unconventional · 08-13-2007, 10:54 AM

Something I wrote after being asked to leave for having black fingernail polish.

Solace thought it was a beautiful morning. The clouds were low, the fog was thick, and the rain was falling in a cold chill that brought a warmth to his heart. He got out of the black hearse he'd bought last week, and put his coat on the driver's seat. He ran his hand over his straight, long, black hair and checked to make sure the beads on his earrings hadn't shifted up toward the lobes. He touched up his crimson lipstick, re-did his mascara, and checked to make sure the black coating on his nails wasn't cracked. His shirt was homemade, but he liked it. It had Jesus on a cross, an agonizing look on His face, as He looked down at Marilyn Manson, who sat--repenting--under Christ's blood. His pants were black and baggy, with all sorts of chains and straps decked all over them. His combat boots were polished, including the red sillouhette of a black widow on each of the toes. Through his fishnet sleeves, passing congregants ogled Solace's tattoos, which were full sleeves down his arms. On his neck was a tattoo of a cross, and on his hand a purity ring that rested under his wedding band. Unfortunately his wife had to stay home with their baby boy, but she'd practically begged Solace to find a church in their new area.

As Solace approached the front door, he was hesitantly greeted by a man in a suit, who also handed him a bulletin. He smiled and shook the man's hand, taking the bulletin and going to find a seat somewhere near the front row. It was just his day: he'd found one three rows back in the center.

The service would begin in about ten minutes, so Solace thought it was strange that the sanctuary looked somewhat empty. The choir looked unhappy, and the pastor looked like he had a headache, but greeted people with a smile. When he came to Solace, Solace smiled and held out his hand. With a fake smile, the pastor shook his hand and asked to speak with him outside.

"I'm sorry, but your appearance is distracting, and we're going to have to ask you to sit outside of the church during the service today."

Solace's smile faded, but he nodded and turned to leave. He decided to sit outside and listen through an open window. He sat against the wall so no one could see him. He didn't want to be a distraction. As he sat in the dead flower bed and listened, a young man walked up.

"Heya," Solace said. "Nice outfit."

The man looked down at what he was wearing: a dirty white robe tied around the middle with a rope and sandals on his dirty feet. His skin was tanned on top of an already olive complexion, but he wore dark sunglasses to keep the sun out of his eyes. Solace noticed the man was heavily scarred, as though he'd been through severe injury.

"Hey, you too, man."

"Care to take a seat?" Solace asked.

"Sure," the man said, smiling.

"The name's Solace."

"Hi there. They kick you out?" the man said.

"Yeah. Said I was a distraction."

"That so? Don't take it too harshly." The man held out a hand with an obvious puncture wound in it, still bleeding. Solace smiled and shook the man's hand.

"My name's Jesus, and I've been trying to get into this place for years."

violet · 08-13-2007, 10:59 AM

I have heard many variations of this story and always love it~
Thank you!

Unconventional · 08-13-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violet

I have heard many variations of this story and always love it~
Thank you!

And here I was thinking I was being original. Oh well. Glad to know there's others who feel as I do

Housesitter · 08-13-2007, 11:01 AM

Violet just beat me on replying to this thread. Like her I have heard variations of this but it remains a very powerful and true message. Thanks,
Ray

Banarenth · 08-13-2007, 01:31 PM

Don't wear mascara (eyeliner sometimes) or lipstick, but the rest describes me pretty well. Love the story.

EDIT: I have a very, very similar story. Been chased out of 2 different churches. Finally found one that not only didn't kick me out, but put me on the platform with my guitar every Sunday.

Dusty · 08-13-2007, 02:01 PM

Banarenth,

So glad to know that you found an accepting church. This is a big problem in our churches today. People look on the outside but God looks at the heart.

Why can't people be more accepting of the people who come into our doors.? It is so sad that a lot of people have been turned off from Christianity because of this reason.

Banarenth · 08-13-2007, 02:50 PM

The church is a hospital for the sick, not a museum for the saints. Just something I've heard in the past that held onto me.

The first place I was chased away from, the usher asked me "what would Jesus think if he saw you here like this". I told him "We'll never know because he wouldn't be allowed here". But my favorite was "Please respect MY sanctuary and dress appropriately". Yeah. nuff said there.

Dusty · 08-13-2007, 03:05 PM

Well , I am not sure that this would not happen in my church as there are still people who dress to the ninth.

. But on the other hand , I see people in torn jeans and tees so it seems that anything is accepted.

Myself, I dress how I feel that day and if it is casual, well that's it. Yesterday. I had capris on. Hey it's summer.

I guess because we have a very culturally diverse congregation .... no body really looks at what the other is wearing cause some come in their African dress, others in sari etc.

Banarenth · 08-13-2007, 04:37 PM

As long as it's not sexually suggestive, I'm pretty much ok with it.

Unconventional · 08-13-2007, 04:51 PM

Solace actually describes my inner child, and what I want to look like. Appearance isn't hugely important to me, but I would like to be comfortable with my appearance.

Right now, I accept my appearance. It doesn't effect my relationship with God, but I feel that I would be more comfortable with a different appearance.

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