Getting to Church and On Time...

Today’s Scripture: 

 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (New Living Translation)

Maybe it is just my family, but getting to church on time is…well…nothing short of a miracle.  And I don’t mean getting to our seats before the worship music begins to play…I mean pulling into the parking lot on two wheels when church service is beginning.  Now we have to hustle into the building, get the children checked into their respective classes, and then make our way to the most inconspicuous empty seats we can find.  By the time my husband and I get settled in, I feel a whoosh of relief pour over me like water sent from heaven. Maybe it is relief that I’m in the house of the Lord with hopefully two matching socks; or just the fact that my race of the morning is over and I can relax in His presence and worship Him J Either way, no matter the struggle to get to church early, late, or even straight up on time; it is worth the effort. There is MUCH to be said for getting to church whether you are “all dolled up,” or in the running for the worst hair and makeup attendee (which I have been in contention for a time or two). God doesn’t care if we have two day old hair, our clothes are wrinkled, or if you are sporting a little spit up from the baby on the way in the door. We are His, and He loves us just for the effort!  His word says in Acts 2:42, “and they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of the bread, and prayer.”  We need desperately to be with other believers on a regular basis to keep us on track, to hear what God has to say that day through the preacher or a song, and to be in His Word.  I often walk out the doors mumbling to myself, ‘well, now I know I was supposed to be there because I think the preacher wrote that sermon just for me.’  Ever happen to you too? Since God isn’t in human form right now, He must use others to speak to us so we know in some sort of concrete way He is listening:  hearing our laughs, cries, problems, and fears.  So if you missed out on service today, make a point to be there next week.  After all, we have a week to work on being there and on time.  OK, my family will probably still be late, but God knows that already and He loves us anyway!