Sunday wasn’t the happy Sabbath it could’ve been; you figured that out from Tuesday’s post. I didn’t write that snippet of life to stab my church. I love my church, that’s why it hurts much when it doesn’t feel reciprocal.
I realize this is a public forum for personal church problems. I have no intention of going into great detail regarding my church family and all it’s faults. And, oh boy, do we have our ups and downs. If you have attended a fellowship for any length of time, I bet we could swap stories. That’s the way it goes. Christians screw up.
Enough, Monica. Get to the point.
Yeah, why am I telling you all this?
Why share here? Why not just write this in a paper journal kept next to the bedside, in a book only I will ever read? Because I suspect there is another Christian walking this same road. Maybe she is a home school mom like me, home with kids all day, with little time for herself, scant close friends to lean on. She feels the same as I do.
This post is for her.
She feels a bit lost in the crowd, discouraged and maybe like church on a Sunday isn’t worth the hassle. Especially after a Sunday like I had.
I want her to know – I’m not quiting the church. As much as I want sometimes to stay home, or find a better, all-together church (Does it exist? Show me). I’m in it for the long haul.
I go to church to worship God, not make friends.
I attend my local church to learn from the Word, not to feel good about seeing friends. Even though it sure is a nice perk.
Church is to grow in Christ. And that’s why I won’t quit gathering together with other Christians. As imperfect as the church may be, I won’t give up on her. She’s imperfect, just like me. I’m glad one day we will be made new together.
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Twitter: WriterMommy
I’ve moved so many times – I’m very familiar with that “lonely” feeling in church.
We’re fortunate now to be in a parish that is truly like a second family. But it hasn’t always been that way…
Hang in there!
Great post-I can relate in so many ways!
Monica @ DailyDwellings last blog post..Doodle Time
The Church reminds me of the U2 song: With or Without You.
Chris and I left our church a few years ago after about a year of praying. Our passion for ministry didn’t fit under their umbrella.
I’m so thankful for the church where we’re members now. Yes, it has its faults, but I truly love this church and know I’m loved by it.
Heathers last blog post..The Beauty of Water
Someone once called this notion “faithfulness is in the showing up.” There’s power and grace to be found through slogging along faithfully (showing up) even (especially?) when it doesn’t “feel good.” It’s a tough sell in our society though, isn’t it?
That’s right, Karla. It’s all about feeling good, and if it doesn’t, move on. Sad, really.
Oh my…that whole paragraph on why you wrote this post. That is ME! Just this afternoon, as I was washing my youngest’s hands in the bathtub, I thought about church on Sunday. I thought, “why bother?” I don’t get to pay attention to much of the service because of my kiddos, I haven’t and probably never will make friends there. I don’t know if it’s worth the effort.
Your words were so encouraging and so profoundly spoke to my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kates last blog post..A Little Thing I learned This Week
Thank you so much for this post. There are many times that my husband and I have wanted to throw in the towel. Not with Jesus but, with His “church”. That’s when we realize that we want to be part of the solution, not the problem. We push on through and remember we go to church to WORSHIP.
Now excuse me while I browse your archives.
DIanas last blog post..A mini recap.
“Church is to grow in Christ. And that’s why I won’t quit gathering together with other Christians. As imperfect as the church may be, I won’t give up on her. She’s imperfect, just like me. I’m glad one day we will be made new together.”
Very powerful Monica! Thank you for being obedient to the Holy Spirit and posting this!
Hugs!
Roses last blog post..I entered another Contest!
Thank you thank you thank you your words encouraged me a lot, I have left the church that I have been a member of for 15yrs in August and it was so hard but now that it’s November I feel like the bitterness and anger are lifting and I can start looking for a new church. I stumbled upon this site and it was so refreshing…