The Long Walk

So, I was asked to give the opening prayer in sacrament meeting on Sunday. A relatively easy assignment that fills me with complete anxiety. The praying isn’t the hard part, but rather the timing of the walk up to the podium fills me with shear anxiety.

That walk up to the podium is tricky because you have to leave at the exact right moment during the last line of the hymn. If you leave too early you are left standing on the podium awkwardly waiting for the last strains of the hymn to come to a close. If you leave too late there is a very loud and awkward silence after the hymn and people start looking at their watches and clearing their throats to indicate that they are not happy that you are wasting their valuable prayer time.

So there I was sitting in my seat, singing the last verse of the opening song, prepping for the long walk to the podium, debating when I should make my move.

“OK, the chorister is leading really slow so I could probably wait a couple more seconds, and leave right when we start singing the last three words of the song. Wait, how far back am I sitting? Um, let’s see, if I used my thumb to measure…OK, I am about 100 thumbs back…divided by 12, I am about 25 yards back, I have plenty of time…Wait, what is that breeze? Oh no, I am getting a strong westerly breeze coming in from the foyer. I better leave now…OK I am going”

So I make my move. I am going at a nice clip and I still have two more measures until the hymn wraps up.

I could see in the eyes of my fellow parishioners a look of, “He is making his ascent a little too soon. He is going to make his arrival too early” but I caught the eye of the organist and he seemed to be waving me in.

I excitedly took my place at the podium right when the last chord of the hymn was played and the chorister was sitting down. I am not going to lie to you, it was a great moment. I was doing inward toe touches and cheering in my head.


I did get a lot of strange looks after I came down off the podium. Apparently, the congregation doesn’t love it when you spike the Kleenex box like a football, but whatever. I did good work friends…good work.

Comments

Theresa said…
It's all good. At least you kept it interesting. Wait until you have to give a talk in sacrament. You learn a whole new definition of anxiety then. hahahaha
January 26, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Cam Fam said…
I love that, despite anxiety, you go for it! Instead of playing it safe by leaving plenty early and finishing hymn on podium chairs. Deserve Bish high5
January 26, 2016 at 11:58 AM
Cam Fam said…
I love that, despite anxiety, you go for it! Instead of playing it safe by leaving plenty early and finishing hymn on podium chairs. Deserve Bish high5
January 26, 2016 at 11:58 AM
Reid Family said…
This cracked me up! I can totally relate to all except throwing the tissue box. That wouldn't be ladylike. I hope you write another post about the long walk back to your seat and the stress of deciding whether to look at people or look at the floor. :)
January 26, 2016 at 10:31 PM
emmy said…
This is awesome Rob. It was a long time to wait for this entry but well worth it.
January 28, 2016 at 6:45 AM
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