The Normans

Monday night are dance days. Both of the girls have their dance classes in a span of two and a half hours on Monday nights. They don't get done until 5:30 so by the time dance is done, we're all hungry and exhausted and just want to get home to relax. But first, I usually pick up dinner on the way home for all of us. The past few weeks, I've discovered Panera! The broccoli cheddar soup is heaven in a bowl and is my new favorite go-to take out meal. So yummy! Oops, I digress...leave it to me to get off track by food! We got home from dance and I began to serve dinner out of the Panera bag. We had just finished saying prayers and started eating when there was a knock at the front door. My first thought was "No one uses our front door" and then my next thought is always a little bit of apprehension. Being a single mom with two little girls, it naturally makes me nervous when there is a knock on my door and it's dark outside and later at night. I started to clear a path to the front door. Since it's hardly ever used, the front entry becomes a bit of a catch all for shoes, ballet bags, leotards, backpacks, tights, homework folders, and whatever else maybe gets thrown into the pile during the week. Amelia had followed me to the door and peeked through the pillars of our entryway. "Oh great, mommy...it's the Normans." From the time Amelia was very little, the fine young men of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have done their darndest to save me and my family. They come to our house quite often, looking to have a chat with me about my faith. Amelia grew up thinking that we were calling them Normans, rather than Mormons, so the moniker stuck! The Normans were at the door again... Now, before I continue my story, I feel the need to make sure that people understand that I have nothing against people of Mormon faith. I understand that there are different religions, and different beliefs. I understand that we all come from different backgrounds, and I am OK with that. Some of my most favorite people are Mormon and I have had conversations with them about their faith and my faith. So, now that that has been stated, I'll go on with my story. Amelia had peeked through the pillars and informed me that we were dealing with Normans again. And the "oh great" part from Amelia must have come from a bit of frustration that we do get visited quite often and I might have indicated this at one point to Amelia. I shushed Amelia as I peeked through the peephole, just to make sure. Yup...we had Normans on our porch. I cracked open the door and peeked my head through the opening. "Good evening, ma'am. We're representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." the young man stated with a huge grin on his face. I smiled back. "Yes?" "Could we come in and have a chat with you?" "Oh, thank you, but we are Lutheran and we are very solid in our faith and in our beliefs, but I appreciate the offer." I started to close the door when the other young man said, "Oh ma'am?" Ugh! Why do they have to call me ma'am! Seriously! But, I smiled and said, "Yes?" "Is there anything you'd like us to do? Anything you need help with?" Immediately in my head I'm thinking that it's pitch black outside, and I live on a farm. He was a pretty brave soul in his fresh-pressed suit and tie. "Oh, no thank you. We're really fine! Have a nice evening!" and I gently closed the door and locked it. Amelia was starting at me wide-eyed and her mouth open. She smiled at me and said, "Mommy! Those were the nicest Normans we've ever had! They heard we were Lutheran and they STILL wanted to help us out!" I chuckled at her and put my arm around her. "You're right, Amelia. They were the nicest Norman's we've ever had!" Amelia is very much like her mother, in that she sometimes needs extra processing time. So, tonight, I'm tucking Amelia into bed. I kiss her head, turn to walk out of her room, and pause at her doorway, waiting for the nightly statement. "Mommy, just one more thing?" "Yes, Amelia." "Last night, when the Normans came to our house? Why didn't you let them in?" "Well, there were several reasons. First, we were eating dinner and I was tired and wanted to get done so we could start bath and bed routine. And also, we're Lutheran." "I heard you say that to them. Why does that matter to them?" "Well, first of all, I have to tell you that they're not Normans. They're Mormons." "What?! No they're not...they're Normans." There are just some battles that I choose not to fight... "OK, well, when we say that those boys are Normans, it's like us being Lutheran. They believe in the teachings that they are taught. We believe in the teachings we are taught. There are some things that we believe that are the same, but many of our beliefs are very different." "Well, why do they want to talk to us? Do they want to see what we believe?" "Hmm...maybe. But I think more importantly, they'd like to tell us about their church." "Oh, so we would sit down and compare churches?" "Well, I don't really think that's the point. They want to tell us all about being Mormon so that we might want to join their church." "What?! Why would they do that? We already have a church." "They're missionaries." "Ohhh...so it's like their job to collect as many people as they can to go to their church and believe in God?" "Yes. That's the idea." "Huh...well, I like being Lutheran, so I guess we could have had them come in and told them about our church. Maybe they'd like to come to Peace with us! Pastor Huelle gives out great sermon suckers." "You're right Amelia. Maybe we should have invited them in and talked to them about being Lutheran. You're a great witness for God!" "Thanks, mommy...that's what it's all about, you know! Getting people to believe in God so we can all be together in heaven." "You're right, Amelia. You know what? Next time the Normans come, we should invite them in. And you can share your great faith with them." "That sounds like a good plan, mommy because, seriously, the next two Normans we get might not want to help us with things. That was super nice of them!" I tried hard not to laugh at my little girl. I kissed her good night and walked down the hallway. Thinking about our conversation I am struck once again by Amelia's wisdom. She is so smart and such a faithful servant. Where I hear the knock and see the Normans and want to send them away right away, Amelia wants to welcome them into our home and be a witness for Christ. Where I cringe and silently curse them for coming at night when we can't hide, Amelia wants to let her light shine. There are many lessons that I learn from Amelia, from both of my children, but seeing the strength of her faith after all her little soul has been through is amazing to me. It is a lesson to me because we are taught to live like Jesus, and I am often guilty of not. Rather than closing the door and locking them out, Amelia reminds me we could turn the table and witness to them! Share with them our beliefs, invite them to our church! What a little missionary. I'm proud of her! I'm proud of the young example she is for me! I'm proud that she is firm in her faith and ready to witness! So, the next time there's a knock on my door, I may grumble for a minute that the Normans are on my porch. But, I will quickly open the door, invite them in, and release Amelia on them, and follow her example, because I think even the Normans might have something to learn from her wise soul.