Joy

I love my church. Back when I was looking for a church home, I really didn’t think it was necessary. I have always felt like faith is just a personal thing, and having a church would give me a community but not really add to my faith in any way. I was totally wrong.

Yes, my faith is deeply personal. But I didn’t realize how much a community can strengthen my faith and keep me centered and focused.

For one thing, it is wonderful to have a community that will surround us with love and lift us up with prayer. My city is not really that friendly. My neighborhood is a ghost town….when we moved here I thought we would meet lots of new people, because there’s a playground so I figured there must be a lot of families with kids, but when we go to the playground across the street, we’re the only ones there! I go to playgroups, and have made a few good friends there, but most people at the playgroups are in their own little worlds, concerned with their own children. Plus, I just don’t relate that well to the people here. I’m a midwest girl, and miss the friendliness!

I also love having different church activities throughout the week. It keeps me focused on God for the whole week, rather than drifting away and only coming back on Sunday. I have a Bible study every week, praise band practice, and in the fall I’ll have choir practice as well (praise band and choir are separate things). I was realizing the other day that I’m really spending a lot of my free time on church things, but it feels really good. 

Then there’s the singing. This feels like the piece of the puzzle that has been missing for me. I sang with the band for the first time this Sunday, and it was wonderful, so much energy and so fun. It just feels amazing to me to be able to worship in harmony at the top of my lungs. My church is not a "loud" church where people yell things out or anything like that, so being able to let loose and sing just feels awesome.

This past week has been really difficult for me, with my girl having a seizure and dealing with the aftermath of that, all while trying to write a big important paper for class. My pastor called a few times this week to make sure we were doing ok, and to offer to bring us dinner and stuff, and after church yesterday we just felt so surrounded by people who cared and wanted to help. I didn’t realize that in a few months so many people had come to love and care about my little girl!

Yesterday was a great day. I just felt extra energized in church from singing, and the sermon really spoke to me. During the "sharing of joys and concerns" (where people can ask for prayers, etc.) I asked for prayers for my girl and started crying. I felt like such a freaking idiot, especially because I had to get up right afterward and sing and was all red-faced and crying. Ugh. But the support we got was overwhelming. It’s lovely to feel like a whole building full of people are all there to help and have your back. We left the service feeling joyful and loved.

And then I had to spend several hours working on a massive paper for a class I hate, and had the joy knocked right out of me. But I’ll have my Bible study tomorrow and another opportunity to get re-centered and refocused. I love not having to wait until Sunday! 🙂