a (rather one-sided) conversation

Today was the last day that I wanted to talk to my piano teacher about anything other than music. But with the death of her good friend, she obviously wanted to talk about "spiritual things."

"The funeral was very different," she told me, "It was about four hours long... finally I left, because I would be there all day, and I have other things to do. But that is not the point. Everyone was raising their hands and shouting hallelujah... you know, up around the casket. And yes, we are glad she is not suffering anymore, (she had cancer you know), but there was no respect, no healing.... just shouting and clapping. You know, I was raised very different, in a Russian Orthodox... and the funeral just made me sad, I don't think my friend would have liked it. I don't know, amber, I don't know. There are so many things that are different here."

I sat on the piano bench, trying to follow her train of thought. And prayed for wisdom. My teacher would rather talk than listen, so whatever I say must needs be prompt, to the point of what she's talking about, and spoken in love. I continued to listen to her. And prayed for more wisdom.

"My mama, as you know, died three years ago, and I turned my back on God. It's not fair she got sick so suddenly. Then boom... she's dead. You know, it's really not fair."

I could hear the heartache in her voice. She and her mama had a beautiful relationship, and she grieved for the loss of that relationship daily. But how do you witness to someone who doesn't let you get a word in edgewise?

"All churches care about," she continued, talking more to herself than to me, "is money. There are so many committees, always trying to get more money for this, that and the other thing. The Baptists, you know, have a bigger building, so now we need a new one. We have to get a better organist, but we will have to pay her more. And on and on and on. You know, amber, I don't think God really cares about the building. I think He cares more about your heart. What is a church for? It is a place for people who believe in God to come and pray. When I go to church, I want to pray, I don't care what the building is like. Yes, it is nice to have it pretty, but that is not the point. And you know, so many christians, or jehovah's witnesses, or whatever, look down on you... like oh... you do not come to my church, oh, I am better than you. Or my church is better, so now I am better than you. Who cares what denomination it is? I don't know who is right... I don't know who to look to."

Eagerly, I was able to interject, and tell her to look to God. Tell her that what's not fair is that Jesus had to die for sin that wasn't his. Tell her that who is right is Christ, and he never changes.
We talked for a half hour after my lesson, until my previous commitment forced me to leave.

I wonder what we will talk about next week.