By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief

I’ll admit it: Today I left Chapel early.

I stood up during what I thought would be the last song, walked down the steps and out into the concourse area.

I did it Wednesday too; in fact, I’ve essentially done this every Wednesday and Friday for the past two years.

Not because I don’t like praise days or certain speakers, but, as a member of the Optimist staff, I and about eight others leave early to deliver you the news. We gather in the concourse area during the last couple minutes of Chapel and wait–but we’re not the only ones.

Hundreds around the coliseum wait huddled around the card readers for the final amen or the last chorus. Then cards start frantically swiping and students are out the door for work, afternoon naps or their lunches before the main crowd hits the stairs.

For some people, on some days, leaving Chapel early might be the best option every now and then.

And, just like those who choose not to come to Chapel some days, if you find an appropriate time to quietly leave Moody, that will be a decision that only affects you. Maybe you even quietly wait by an exit for Chapel to end or participate in the closing song or prayer as you wait to slide your card. These decisions still only affect you.

Then there are those individuals who seem to feel the need to make their leaving Chapel early known by all around them. Those that insist on carrying on a full cell phone conversation in the stair wells of Moody, not 15 feet from where people are trying to worship. Those so intent on not standing in a line that they can’t realize their voice travels back into Moody and disturbs those trying to pray.

These people give those of us who have legitimate reasons for leaving early and can do so respectfully a bad name. Believe it or not, some of us do have reasons for leaving early other than avoiding a line at the Fatted Cafe.

Perhaps these people think leaving Chapel early is giving them good experience for life after college.

I’m sure your boss won’t mind in a couple years if you stood up and walked out of a business meeting early because it was getting a little too close to lunch time or a friend calls you wanting to chat.

Or the athletes aspiring to play their sports professionally, I’m sure your future coaches won’t mind you walking out of the locker room if his postgame speech starts to run a little too long.

After all, having to stand in a line is a horrible price to pay for an extra two minutes in your Chapel seat, especially when there are friends to hang out with and lunch to eat.

But know this: Expect far worse than a lecture from Dean Barnard if you make that a habit after leaving this univeristy.