I haven't been to church in a couple of weeks now and I miss it. I even posted this on my facebook status a few days ago. Someone commented that I didn't have to go to a building to have Jesus. I could simply open up my Bible and read it. Well, they're right. I could just read my Bible but it's not the same experience as actually attending church. I rarely quote the Bible because even though I grew up in church, I wasn't very good at memorizing verses. But I do remember somewhere in the Bible, it speaks of where two or more people are gathered, then God will be among them. I believe this to be true because I don't get the same feeling at home by myself as compared to being in church.
I'm not a one of those church/religious fanatics. In fact, I just recently started going back to church (April). Before then, I had not been to church in years and years. But there was always a part of me that missed it very much. Growing up, my family went to church every Sunday, sometimes on Wednesdays and at least once a month on a Saturday night (Singing night). It was a very social experience for me. Mom and Dad would have friends from church over and I would get to play with their kids while the grown-ups mingled. This was our community, our village, our social network, our support group, our safe house. I am very appreciative to my parents for raising me this way.
I read a post this morning about raising a "churchless" child. (Here). I totally disagree. The entire reason I started going back to church was because I want my son to grown up in a church community like I did. I want him to learn the morals and values they teach. In fact, not only to I want this for him, I feel that it is my obligation as his parent to expose this to him. The world in which he will grow up in is filled with so many "wrong" paths. If taking him to church will prevent him from going down just one of those, it is worth every second spent there. I know that one day, he will question his beliefs like I did. But at least he will have a solid basis of religious knowledge to build upon.
I too was brought up in the Church; every Sunday. I was Catholic, you sound like you are Baptist. I say that because since moving up here, there are no Catholic Churches and I have been to many a Baptist Church that sounds so similar to what you've described.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, I haven't been to Church in a long while as well and I miss it too. Reading the Bible ought to be looked at as "food for the soul" in between spending time with our Father; like vitamins that keep us healthy.
I wish so much I could find a Church I was really happy at, Baptist or Catholic but since I live in a county where there are NO Catholic churches, the Baptist churches I've been to and visited so far, do not give me that inner peace that I think I'm needing.
I brought my sons up in the Church as well, first as Catholics and then one we moved up here, as Baptists. We all were saved and baptized and I must say, it was one of the greatest moments in my life! In fact, it was then that my life changed and my eyes opened up significantly. I do think it's important to expose our children to the Church; I think it's important that our children grow up to be believers because God is real and it is only through Jesus that we can come to know the Father.
Personally, I know I need a lot of work done in my life and within myself to get back on track and to have the Lord once again, become the center of my life.
It's posts like yours that are a great reminder of the love God has for each and every one of us and also, a reminder as to where we stand with Him.
Thanks for reminding me. :) Be blessed my sister and may your day be a beautiful one!
Thank you! I love your comments! You write beautifully! I with I could put my thoughts together as well as you do.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and wishing you a wonderful Thursday.....almost Friday!!!! YAY!
Thank you for the compliment and I enjoy reading you as well. So much so, if you don't post anything, I'm left wondering where you are...
ReplyDeleteYour posts (for whatever reason), link us. There are so many similarities in our lives... you write, I laugh and find myself saying, "yup... uh huh..." because either I've experienced it, thought it or have wished for it (like fried chicken!!)
I'm glad we've "met" and may our journeys continue to cross paths as I know they are intended to and will remain so...
:)