I do not talk a lot about my faith here on the blog.
Blogging challenges make you do weird things.
I keep odd hours or this might not be an issue. I woke
up around 4 a.m. I stayed up for a few hours and awoke again around 9 a.m.
Summer late service starts at 11 a.m. It just did not
feel like I would make it. You just know things about yourself and the free
will activities you will participate in.
I never imagined I would be an adult that skipped church. My life
has led me down a very winding path.
I grew up as a child with church
attendance on Sunday being mandatory.
As soon as I could get out from under that I did.
For a long time as an adult I did not even bother with
faith.
Things changed in late 2003. Then I could not wait to
get to weekend gatherings. I felt alive and enriched. I loved the new little church
I reluctantly had gotten involved with.
I went all the time and even to the little classes that
were scheduled off and on. Those were usually after never before. I am not an
early bug.
Suddenly after months at the church a friend invited me
to a new church. This was almost disturbing to me. A church can feel like a
family. Leaving one for another can be traumatic.
When I went to the new church I realized I felt so at
home there it was time to switch. That is what happened in a nut shell. For
more we would have to talk or meet over coffee.
I stayed at the new church and tried to get involved
which is hard for a single mom sometimes. I did not end up staying there for
very long. Soon I was on to another church.
While at that church all of which are located in Elk
Grove I ended up staying with a friend who lived in Davis. I never missed a
Sunday.
Fast forward a few years and almost a dozen churches.
Since I have had my car back this year I have attended in hit or miss fashion.
My faith is still intact.
Faith is not all about belonging to a church or attending services. I know that might sound
scandalous to some.
I even completely understand the idea of gathering together
to build relationships and foster health and growth individually and together.
I miss having friends and meetings at home. I like
church at night. Maybe I should check out a Friday or Saturday evening service
some where.
Mini
tales about my adventures are posted in the archives of this blog.
Long story short, we didn't go to church this weekend either.
ReplyDeleteLet the judging begin...
The religious leaders judged Jesus. We know how that ended up. lol
DeleteYou crack me up!
DeleteBack to the blog-- I do hope someday you'll find a church where you really enjoy being a member. When the chips are down, or even way up, your home congregation can be like family for you. I did a post on finding the right church for you. You might enjoy it--http://wp.me/pyEwf-1c . Peace and grace to you!
Why thank you. I figure it is either laugh or cry some days. I have told myself I should volunteer at church and that will give me a reason to show up regularly. Half my problem is that I do not want to just sit there and be preached at. I have been to about a dozen local churches. Almost all of them were good if not great. I belong at the one I am going to and a member of for a little while longer. What I want to do is make friends. Maybe after the women's retreat next month I will know more folks.
DeleteI can relate. Once we moved out of state, we never connected deeply to a church body. It's strange for someone who's grown up in church to skip because going to church is just "what you do..."
ReplyDeleteHowever, sometimes just being present for life is much more important.
I tell people all the time in the Bible college that I attend: The Christian life is really all about everything we do besides Sunday services.
DeleteIf that is the only time we act holy, pray or read our Bibles, fellowship with other Christians, sacrifice our own time for God, or have praise and worship etc. our lives are out of order.
Church is supposed to be a celebration at the end of a joy filled life of walking in the Spirit and community. Jesus did it that way.
I so understand and have been in the same position. Hope you had a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteYes it has been restful. Thank you. I know many people and familie go through these spells. The internet helps. lol
DeleteAnd for me, this was the first time this month that I went to church! My prodigal son has come home for what will likely be s short period of time, so we all went. I still attend the large church that I attended with my husband, who left in 1999. I like the largeness, which offers anonymity and keeps everyone from knowing my business. My kids were involved in small group, youth group, and choir, and the three of us served in the children's ministry a few years. BUT this past year my church started shedding pastors like sun worshippers shed clothes when the sun comes out after a long winter. And that, in addition to my ex being blessed with everything we had wanted together now with his new family while I flounder in financial instability, has caused me to lose my joy in Sunday services.
ReplyDeleteAwww. Sounds like you have a lot going on. I like the corporate large feel of worship in a big church. The anonymity not so much. I know a lot of single mothers or wives whose husbands will not attend with them enjoy being hidden there in. It is great when the kids are plugged in. At least they can have that.
DeleteSometimes when pastors leave they start new ministries I might watch that. I try not to get too attached to any one person.
As for x's you just have to trust God with that. Sometimes it does feel like they are having it all. I comfort myself knowing being a mom is AMAZING and nothing could be better. More money, success or privilege would be nice but I would not want to trade one for the other.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI dont go to church, well normal church as people know it.
We meet in homes and its mmuch better this way. you get to know each other and really spend time with people.
Lynley
I loved having service in my home back in 04 and fellowshipping with an Organic church in an apartment spring 2011. Very New Testament as far as I can tell.
DeleteI like all options of "church", too. The point is, encountering Christ. That can be done in many places. I currently attend church on Sat. nights and I love that. I love sleeping in Sunday!
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes. So lovely this modern age for all the options. I love sleeping in any old day. lol It is easier to muse at midnight when I do or know I can.
DeleteI go through periods of going to church. And not. Now with kids I want them grounded I amity so I'm a little better at getting out o beds for 9:30 am services.
ReplyDeleteIt seems more normal to me now than I could have ever imagined. My daughter only took to church for a season and other than that she could take or leave it so she learned about God at home. More biblical this way anyway so I do not worry a lot. She most liked to attend church when she would spend the night with friends. Go figure. lol
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