I know what I’m about to say, and I know I’m going to contradict myself a bit, but these are points worth making. They should be written, read, spoke and prayed for.
I work in a school and sometimes a child comes along that will challenge your morals, work ethic and compassion. You know which student I’m talking about. This is a student who does nothing in class. They never turn in work, fail tests, refuse to study, rarely show up and when he or she does, they sleep. When grades are issued and an F is earned, the student defends his or her lack of effort with the statement of, “It’s because the teacher hates me.” Oh, I’ve heard this before, not once, but multiple times. How does one handle such abrasive slander? Like me, you fear this answer. Each one of us dread the moment when we open our mouths to speak, what comes out are the words last spoken by your own mother. I look that child straight in the eye and I tell them, “I don’t HATE anyone, that’s not how I was raised.” WHOA! Did I just say that? Did my Mother’s voice just spew out of my mouth? We weren’t raised to hate. Dislike, perhaps, but not hate. Hate is a strong word, and we should never hate anyone, let alone say it. To hate is just not how I was raised.
How many of us weren’t raised with communication skills? (Don’t even begin to think about social media or cell phones) If it weren’t for your mother’s prodding questions, would you have ever talked about what was on your mind, what was bothering you or how your day was? I tend to think it’s a guy thing. I really think they are missing a communication strand in their DNA. But, it happens to us all. We shut down and refuse to talk. We don’t call to catch up as often as we should, and we don’t look for ways to connect. I can honestly say that I have never had a discussion where God has been the answer and the end of the conversation. It has never been the answer because He was never brought up to be the solution. We don’t talk about Him out loud to others, “It’s not how [we were] raised.” If we don’t talk about him, how can He be the salvation, the solution to problems, and the answer to our prayers? You need God in your life, and so do others, so start communicating. It may not be how you were raised, but last I checked, you are an adult. You get to make your own decisions about how you live your life. Make positive changes, and make it a habit.
So now that I have your lines of communication wide open, and you are changing “how you were raised”, let's grasp on to those yester years of our parents and grandparents generation. They did things right…so right. Great reliable cars, appliances that lasted forever, a generation built on hard work and sweat. Children were grateful and respectful. Parents who were married stayed married because if something broke they fixed it. Fathers worked all week, Moms raised a family. Saturday night was for popcorn and pizza, and Sunday morning was for church. Yes, people could work all week and still get their butts out of bed for church service on Sunday mornings. Why… because it was important. God was important.
Last Sunday I sat in church. As our pastor spoke, my mind could not resist but to wander. I sit in the 4th pew from the back on the west side of the sanctuary. Always have, probably always will. I can even tell you that before our church’s fire, that forced the build of this new church, I used to sit in the 2nd pew from the back, again on the west side. I can even tell you who sat behind me every Sunday. But last Sunday I was more concerned about who was sitting in front of me…NO ONE. Counting the pastor and our pianist there were 27 people present.
I started to get mad. Where were the people that used to fill the pews? What is it that keeps them from coming? Where are my friends right now? Are they even in a church in another town? Why is our church, and many other small rural churches throughout our area, empty? Is everyone in bed?
WAKE UP PEOPLE! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!
Don’t tell me you want to sleep in. So do I, but I don’t. If it weren’t for God, would you have a place to lay your sleepy head? Shouldn’t you praise him, and give Him thanks?
Don’t tell me you are too busy. How busy can one really be before 9am? Geez, football games don’t start till at least noon.
Don’t tell me you are scared. God provides strength.
Don’t tell me you don’t know where to go. Drive through the closest town. I guarantee there is a church or multiple churches. In front of that church is a sign, and more than likely it has the worship time right on it.
Don’t tell me it’s a pain to pack up the kids. It might be, but your children are blessings from God. They are His gift to you. Jesus loved the children and wanted them to learn. Bring them to Him. Bring them to church. Start a tradition and start it now.
Don’t tell me church is boring and the songs are slow. You must not be listening or making the connection God has intended you to make. Listen to God’s word, related it to your life, pray and give thanks for everything He does and continues to do for you.
Don’t tell me the church roof will cave in if you step foot inside. I’m not perfect, and it hasn’t fallen down on me yet.
Lastly, don’t even tell me you’ll teach your child or your spouse at home. Don’t promise to read scripture to them and teach them of God’s word. We already established that this was not how you were raised, and you don’t know how to communicate!
Small churches need you. They need the pews filled on Sunday mornings so they can continue to show you God’s love.
Churches need you, and you need the church. A church is a family within a community. Ask my mom how many of those church members cooked us dinner, lunch and breakfast. Ask her how many of those church members left food and paper goods on our door steps and in our home. They stood by us as pillars of strength during the time of my Dad’s passing. They prayed for us. THAT’S A FAMILY! They were the support and the prayers that helped us through the darkness. They are that family that puts together food baskets for the less fortunate. They are the ones who gather coats and clothing, shoes and eye glasses. We mourn together, pray together and celebrate together. This one church is my family.
If blood is thicker than water, we should be good, for Jesus Christ shed his blood for us, this family, this church.
Come sit in our pews, any pew, we have a church full. If not my church, any church. If people can’t find time for church, they aren’t finding time for Jesus. If you don’t have time for Jesus, does he have time for you?
I’m working on my communications skills right now; my blog is my starting point. Do I go to church every Sunday? Just about. The last time I didn’t, I had forgotten to set my alarm. Poor excuse, but it does happen. Before that, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t go. Is talking about my feelings and God how I was raised? Not completely, but I want to make that change. Will I continue to spread the word of God or promote Church? Yes, because I see the benefits and good that comes from it.
In a society of hatred, despair, confusion, fear, uncertainty and pain we NEED God. Find a community church and go. Come closer to God, hear the word, related it to your life. Make the changes God wants you to make. It’s not a change you can make over night, that’s why God gives us a lifetime.
Most importantly God doesn’t want you to wait a life time to find him. Join a church, seek God, hear his word and apply it to your life. You will find that you are more thankful for the gifts He gives you daily, and you are happier for the life you are given each day.
This is how I am raising myself and hopefully by you reading this, this is how I’m raising others around me to trust in the Lord.
It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting there.
