Sadness

I was a little sad all day yesterday. I invited my neighbor and her daughter to the beach, and she in turn invited some more moms to come along. I don't mind, more kids for my kids to play with. The girls certainly had a great time in the sun and sand. The problem is that they are all from the Bible Church down the road and I am the "Lutheran pastor's wife" (this is how I am ALWAYS introduced--why not "this is my neighbor Erin"?).

Our conversation topics seemed to settle on theology. I just listened. They believe in the rapture and don't baptize their babies. They don't believe in the Lord's Supper ("it's just a remembrance thing") and they were all talking about their personal "walks with the Lord". They think that Lutherans have it all wrong-- "believing in all that man-made stuff that is not in the Bible". I know that it is not my job to set them straight, but I couldn't think of one thing to say in defense of Lutheranism, in defense of the richness I "experience" every Sunday through the liturgy, hymnody, and the preaching of the Gospel. Where would I even start with these women? I felt pathetic on my drive home.