People Like Me
Author: Dorothy O'Neill (South Australia, Australia)
As usual when I was 15, I was sitting beside Dad during the morning worship service at our church.
This morning, I was feeling unworthy. In a little while, we would be invited to come forward to receive Holy Communion. I didn’t feel I could do so; I wasn’t good enough.
I had always belonged to the church and attended Sunday school. I had been confirmed when I was 12 and regularly attended worship with my family.
But I still had a sense of not measuring up in daily life. I felt I wasn’t good enough to receive the bread and wine.
That Sunday, I decided I would remain in my seat. But when it was time to go forward, Dad turned to me and said, ‘Coming?’ I followed him to the Communion rail and knelt beside him.
As the server approached me, I sensed a gentle voice within me saying, ‘It’s for people like you.’ Relief flooded through me, and I gladly accepted the bread.
Since that time, so long ago, I have always felt free to partake of Holy Communion. What a grace this has been!
Prayer: Help us to realise, God, that the blood of Jesus was shed for everyone and has wiped us clean of sin. Amen
