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NEEDHIM
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"I
want to go to church"
Sandra Hammack of
Greenville, S.C.
Being new to our community, my family has
been searching for a church for a short while. One that will feed
our spiritual growth as well as the spiritual needs of our children.
Having not yet found such a church, it is often tempting to take a "break"
from the search.
Recently, our 5-year old daughter woke us
up, put on her Sunday dress, and said, "I want to go to church."
So, the four of us dressed and plodded down that trail of perfect church
exploration.
We decided on a church one of our neighbors
had recommended. I sat in this church, realizing early on that it
is not that "perfect fit" we've experienced in other communities.
However, I was being filled with the Holy Spirit. At the end of the
service, my heart was full, and that fullness overflowed right through
my eyes, in the form of tears. I vowed to God to make 2002 his year,
as I said to Him, "'02 is for you".
Later in the evening I said to my partner
in the church-search (my husband), "you know, in our search, even when
we visit each "imperfect fit", I get a blessing. Just being in church
causes me to slow down and focus, on God, on Jesus, on the Holy Spirit,
and their longing to be nearer to me."
As I lay in bed thinking of the blessings
of the day, I remembered an old cliché that I’d heard from
"non church-goers"; the excuse "I don't want to sit in church with a bunch
of hypocrites." Oh, how easy that excuse would be for the weary church-researcher
to adopt.
But then I contrasted such an "attitude"
with the nature of my dearly departed Grandaddy. Although age made him
feeble, weak, and unable to attend church any longer, there were two precious
items of "life support" always by his side. Grandaddy's walking cane
was strategically placed to the left of his favorite chair, and his Bible
on the table to the right - - both within easy reach. Age and failing
health had rendered him unable to attend church, and I’m sure he would
have been in church if it had been possible. Even still, he carved
out many hours to focus on his Lord, to know and experience God's love
and care, and to live by God's purpose.
The lesson I've learned for myself is this:
it is important that I carve out time, and place, where I can focus solely
on God, on Christ's blessings, the message the Holy Spirit is bringing
to me, and what is being asked of me in my Christian walk. For me,
the most special of places to do this, is in church.
“I was glad when they
said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord”.
Psalm 122:1
Note from Dragonfly
Ministries: If you would like to speak to someone about asking
Jesus Christ into your life, or to pray with you, please call 1-888-NEEDHIM.
Counselors are standing by 24 hours a day, waiting for your call or you
can visit NEEDHIM at http://www.needhim.org
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