Church.

If I could bottle up Sunday's... I would. So that during the week when I'm feeling a bit lost, I could drink in the goodness that I find on these prized random Sunday's off.

Today is my dad's birthday. Stan the Man. He was born today. For all the ways that we do not understand each other, and in all the moments I know he drives me crazy... I love that we understand that our Faith and our beliefs in Christ are the most important things in our lives. That being an important bond I share with him, I love that today I was given a day off to celebrate Him, but was also able to make it to church to celebrate and worship Jesus. It was a painfully difficult sermon in some respects, and in others was a comforting reminder of who sits on the the throne... and how mighty God is. (TAB is going through a sermon series in Revleation... and I'm thankful to have been able to hear about half of them! They are crazy intense, but so good.) I love that by loving my dad today I got to love Jesus too. Winner.

Growing up hating the required attendance to church, I admit that each Sunday I remember that small girl. Today I was particularly moved by the notion that I have taken for granted the numerous opportunities that I did not attend Sunday services when I could have. Now that my work schedule conflicts with my personal life in such a way, I miss my Sunday routine. I began to think of those people in my life that are not able to attend church because they live too far away from one, or have been deployed for a season and did not have one. I thought about strangers in countries that can't attend worship without religious persecution. I ran through scenarios on my mind listing off each random reason that someone would not be able to experience what I love when I sit in my chair.

I know that God moves, and can be known without those walls. I know that sometimes the circumstances we find ourselves in limit our participation in regular services. But I also know that my random and scattered attendance always leaves me grieved for the Body, and for the experience the 75 minute service brings.

I love a church in KY called Southland. I listen to their podcasts, and scribble down notes. Sometimes I watch the video at home on my computer instead of listening in the car. Either way, I love what they teach and I'm challenged often by it. But its not the same. It's not the same as walking into TAB and seeing faces I know. It's not the same as Essen, and Cathy giving me hugs of encouragement and pouring into me all that I soak up before I leave. It's not the same as standing in the front of the church to receive Communion. It's not the same as hearing the voices sing and praise together. It's just not the same.

Today.

I'm so thankful that I got to go, sing, think, pray, listen, and HEAR.

And then went off to celebrate the birth and life of a great, cherished, and treasured Man.

Sunday's off are always too far between, but wonderfully tender and beloved.