Could This Happen

COULD THIS HAPPEN? COULD THIS REALLY HAPPEN? The house was finally quiet. The giggles…noise from the toys…the television…the puppy’s barking. Silence. Sweet silence. The young couple took a few moments to enjoy it. Then they spoke of it. Was it possible this was the end of the first week of summer vacation? They were exhausted. Only the first week. The entire summer stretched out before them. How were they going to survive it with four children…the oldest just finished elementary school and had already rolled his eyes to express his boredom with the “family games”. The youngest was easy. She sat in her stroller and giggled as she tossed her bottle for the puppy to chase. The “in-betweens” played hide-and-seek. Mom and Dad? It was a great day of frolicking and picture taking. BUT, here they were. EXHAUSTED. The TV remained off. They both needed to talk about this. “We need a plan” they both said, without speaking. The next day was Sunday and there were two more in this month and at least four in each summer month ahead. How about going to church? They had planned on this before their first child was born. Both had grown up going to their church every Sunday with their families. It was how they met. They loved it! So, why hadn’t they gone? Fourteen years had past. They loved this place so much and wanted their family to experience life here. What happened? Now, pure exhaustion and the need for a plan prompted them to consider going. They could even add a picnic after the morning at church. Great! This would all take half a day and then they would still have time to prepare for the new work week! It was decided. The next morning, the four children were puzzled by the blur of activity. Nice clothes were laid out for them to wear. The family picnic basket was filled to the brim and sat by the front door. Mom and Dad were lovely and handsome in clothes that indicated this was not going to be a stay at home day. It wasn’t until everyone was buckled in and Dad had started driving down the street that Mom announced “We are going to church today!” Hmmm The four children knew what this meant. Yet, they hadn’t experienced it as a family until that morning. But the enthusiasm from mom and dad soon spread through the car and with gleeful anticipation they began to imagine the next few hours. Finally the church was in sight. But, something was strange. As they pulled into the parking lot, theirs was the only car. He looked at her. She looked at him. It is Sunday? Finally, he stopped the car close to the entrance. It was then, they noticed a large sign. They got out and slowly walked toward it. With horror, he read, “This church building has been closed by the authority of the United States Government. Any attempt to open it will result in prosecution.” Below the statement was a list of 10 reasons for the closure. Each window that had once been a beautiful stain-glass was now covered with a board. Each door had a large lock. At the park, as the children ran and played their games, mom and dad sat on the blanket in stunned sorrow. How could this be? On their way to the park, they had driven by many churches. Each had the same sign and boards and locks. As they quietly talked about the events of the morning, tears swelled up and rolled down their cheeks. They waited too long. Their children would never experience those beautiful days in church. That morning, she opened her eyes, wet with tears and turned in the bed to her husband. “I just had the most horrible dream!”