unknown

it was a typical sunday,
and we followed the routine format:
we poured into the sanctuary
upon conclusion of our various bible classes.

the band started up with gusto,
and the vibrations of the bass
hummed through the rough hewn pews.

two songs in, and everything 
was going exactly to plan.
the ushers were preparing to take
a collection, just as the song concluded.
typical. typical. typical.
and then, she entered.

she entered from stage left,
and casually picked up a microphone.
her appearance was slightly mundane,
and certainly not memorable, to say the least.

"hello", she greeted.

all eyes were on her.
and then on each other.
some thought this was the beginning of a skit,
or an impromptu presentation.
others thought she had stepped up
with a word of prophecy-
and maybe she did.

"for an entire year,
i've been attending this church.
every week, i hang out in the rafters.
i sway to the same music as you.
i share in the same message.
i pass you in the foyer.
i smile at all of you.
we even call ourselves a church family.

and for an entire year,
not a single one of you
have introduced yourselves,
nor have any of you
learned my name."

silence penetraded the sanctuary
with heavy notes of guilt
and awkwardness.

several women-
"female bouncers", if you will-
approached from alongside her,
and began to console her.
they offer to connect her
into a small group.
they introduce themselves.
they do anything within their power
to get her off that stage,
and get things back to typical.

she refuses their offering.
instead, she points a finger,
hovers it in the direction of an entire
congregation, and utters that same sin:

"for an entire year,
not a single one of you
have gotten to know my name.

not a one."

silence.

"you call yourselves christians,
but you have never shown christ to me.
but, how could you,
when you have no clue who i am?"

and with a final sneer,
she hands over the microphone,
and is dragged off stage,
sobbing like a troubled child.
"they never bothered to learn my name"...
she whimpers.
and disappeared into the unknown.

i wish i could tell you her name.
trouble is,
i just can't seem to remember it.