Grace and Eric drove down for a visit last Sunday. Unfortunately, he had to head back to Canada yesterday morning because he starts his new job tomorrow. Thankfully, Grace is able to stay a couple weeks longer because one of her BFFs is able to drive her back home at the end of the month.
Yesterday, while out and about with Grace, we passed our church. Grace mentioned that she was sad that Eric had to leave before getting to attend a service there, this time, and hoped that maybe on their next visit he’d get to attend a service there. I asked if she wanted to go to church today even though he wouldn’t be able to join us. She responded that she thought she would like that.
So we went to church.
Can I just say that this morning’s service reminded me of all that I have been missing?
My attendance prior to Covid had gotten spotty. Life was getting busy. It became too easy to make excuses to myself as to why I couldn’t attend services each week.
Early Covid-times, I tuned in to the weekly services via zoom. I enjoyed feeling the connections I had been missing with my fellow parishioners, while getting to sip coffee from the comfort of our living room couch. But it wasn’t quite right. Soon, I found that I didn’t bother with logging in at all. The virtual method of worship wasn’t reaching my soul like in-person worship does.
I have been saying for a while now that I wanted to get back to attending services in person. But I never made it a priority to actually MAKE it happen. Until this weekend, because it was an action that fulfilled my girl’s request. (Why is it always so much easier to do things when they are for the benefit of our kids - no matter their age?!)
Sitting in the pew this morning, I felt so much peace. I was where I belonged. Right where I needed to be - in that very moment.
NOW I remember why attending services regularly needs to be the priority. Worshipping the Lord - giving Him all my worries - made me feel a calm that I haven’t felt in far too long.
I don’t know that I’ll be able to fit services into my every-week-routine at this point, but I do know that I am going to make attending as many services as I can a priority.
