Swirling Thoughts

This morning I woke up when it was still dark.  "Aha, I thought, why don't I just get started writing, then I won't have to think about it for the rest of the day."  Several topics came to mind, pertinent to relationships, but then it occurred to me, "Today is Sunday.  Why don't I just see what happens at church and write then?"

To me, church is like going home to mom and dad - it is truly home.  Church is familiar, comforting, friendly, dynamic, and even fun.  I always sit close to the front so I can see and hear better.  But I don't sit on the end, by the aisle, I go a bit into the pew.  It's true that people like to sit in nearly the same place every week. I saw lots of familiar faces.  My friend, Lisa, came and sat beside me.

To be sure, going to church on Sundays, is primarily to worship God, to give thanks, and also to pray for those who have asked me to pray for them, and to hand over a few of my own petitions to the Almighty. But an equally important reason is to give witness to my faith, to share my faith with others, to pray together.

Some folks go to church out of a sense of obligation, what I've heard referred to as "fire insurance."  In other words, a person feels guilty to not go to church, after all, God gives us the whole week, we could give Him back at least an hour on Sundays, and then we'll avoid hell.  Sure, God loves to see us all in church, worshiping.

But then if a person only goes to church on Sundays, he or she is missing an enormous lot!  There are many 'committees,' many 'meetings,' many 'ministries,' many things a person could get involved in, in every church.  Everyone is busy, too busy for yet another function to attend.  Yet. . . we make time for what is important to us.  It is in the small groups that you can meet and get to know FRIENDS!  There is no substitute for jumping in, finding what you like, and getting involved (yes, there's that word again!) in something new, something you can help with, and maybe a group that you can learn from.  Along the way, you'll probably have lots of fun!

Once in a while there's a news article about a pastor who tried to accommodate all those with excuses to not go to church.  He'll bring pillows and blankets for those who want to sleep in, and all sorts of other gimmicks to fit other excuses.  Sounds like a fun way to bring in the parish members.  There's really no valid excuse to not go to church!

We all are looking for LOVE, acceptance, recognition - someone remembers us!  If you haven't tried regular church attendance, give it a try.  What do you have to lose?  (And, do it with GUSTO!)

Dear Lord, I love Your day, Sunday! - especially now that I can usually devote 100% of my Sundays going to church, relaxing, planning the week ahead, doing a little spiritual reading I like, and resting, like You did.  Thank You for Sundays!!