It's not a law, but it is a pretty well-known fact.  The Preacher's wife very often sits on the front pew.  Some of these wives sit near the front because they are the Hostesses of the church and need to be ready if the Pastor needs them .  Some of them sit up front every service because trying to pick which friend or visitor to sit with just causes a hassle and hurt feelings.  Some of them need to be near the piano or organ.  Some sit on the front pew because they have terribly short attention spans and need to be close to the action with few visual distractions.  Sure, some of them are setting an example of how to behave one's self, but a few are actually "grounded" there by their husbands. So why do I sit on the front pew?  Well, for all of the above reasons!


And, my, oh, my, what a view I have from up there!  Why, I can "see out the eyes in the back of my head" all kinds of interesting things.  Such as.....


 I can "see" who is singing along with the hymns and who is standing silent.  Of course, when I adjust the focus on these folks, I can "see" who isn't familiar with the songbook or who struggles to understand how the verses are written out differently than the chorus.


I can "see" who is fidgeting because it is too warm.......or in OUR building....who is too cold; and I make sure to have the pretty afghans laying in better places next week.   I can "see" which husbands and wives are not sitting as closely as usual and wonder if they are struggling.  I can "see" who sniffles all the way through the sermon; and I can pray that God is working in their heart.


I can "see" which little tykes are wiggling way way way too much; and I can offer to have them sit with me so mommy and daddy can listen without distraction.  I can "see" the mommy who is trying to console a tired baby; and I can make sure the nursery is clean and open so they can have privacy but still hear the Preacher.


I can "see" which teenagers are goofing around or passing notes or casting glances; and then I know which ones need me to say hello and ask how they are doing. 


I can "see" who sits alone; and I know exactly who needs to be introduced around and made to feel more welcome.  I can also "see" who plops down in their usual spot and never reaches out to anyone; and I know who needs a hug or special conversation.


I could go on and on with all I see from the front pew.  But mostly I can "see" what is most important.  I can see the Preacher.  Now, I'm not trying to be coy here, but rather, I am being very serious.  There is obviously a lot going on in the pews behind me every service....that's the way it is in a crowd of people.  But there is so much more going on in the pulpit before me!  Do you ever stop and ponder, I mean really ponder that it is God Who is speaking.  I sometimes can't believe that GOD from Heaven is talking to my puny little heart when the Preacher stands up to speak.  Remember the God that simply said words and the whole universe popped into existence?  Yuppers, my friend, THAT God is speaking to you and me.  The God that sent His Son.......His one and only Son.......to take my punishment of death is speaking.


I sit on the front pew because I learned a long time ago that that's where I can catch the most blessings!  Sure, lots of people can sit two or three rows or maybe all the way at the back and catch blessings.  But I want to be right up front where there's no chance of anyone else intercepting the ones meant for me or of them wearing out before they can get back to where I am.  I want to sit in the "spit zone" because that's where there are "showers of blessings!"