We were never given an option when it came to sleeping in or
participating in activities on a Sunday morning. As a matter of fact, my parents had a routine
that started Saturday evenings. It
started after dinner; lay your clothes out for church, shine your shoes, take a
bath, and possibly a quick review of scripture memorization. It was to bed early on Saturday nights. I
never minded going to church.
I remember a battle with my older brother that my parents
would often have. He was drug to church
– there were a few times in high school that I remember my dad coming into my
room and saying something like, “get up – you want to stay out all night on a
Saturday, the least you can do is get your lazy body out of bed… “and on and
on. Like a lot of teenagers, I had those
days that I too would be drug to church.
But I’m thankful that I was drugged to church. Here’s why.
1)
I realize all churches have issues. I saw my church go through lots of issues
like building programs, capital fund campaigns, relocation, and people
problems. Today, I am able to love
people and serve the church with great compassion and understanding. I
understand the lifecycle of a church.
2)
I learned that most pastors are genuine servants
that have responded to a special call upon their life to lead others. I adored my pastors. They were heroes to me. They were kind and fair. They were always prepared and nothing seemed
to rock their world. Their self-control was amazing. C.W Baldwin, Tom Malbone,
Jim Fox and for a short time Tom Smith; amazing men that loved God, served the
church selflessly, and treated me without exception like I was special. I am convinced that these men of God are the
number one reason I was able to hear the call of God on my life so clearly.
3)
The church set my compass. The consistency of the message of salvation,
grace and holiness resonated in my life just as loudly as all the other messages
of the world like success, win, and happiness.
I suppose I have a combination of all those voices contributing to my
values today. I can’t imagine what life
would be like had the church not had such a defining voice in my life.
4)
I grew up in a church where excellence in
worship was celebrated and honored. It
was not a large church but I learned to appreciate excellence in worship. Not style. Not preferences. Excellence. It taught me that God deserves our best in
worship.
5)
I was surrounded by good people. Not perfect people. Good people that genuinely loved God and
occasionally would slip up. People that
were passionate about budgets, bylaws, serving, and missions. They were people that loved to pray, use the
altar, and celebrated with food a lot.
They laughed, cried, clapped, sang, prayed, mourned, and learned with
one another.
I will be 50 years old this year and when Saturday evening arrives, I still
find myself thinking about clothes, shining my shoes, and dragging myself to
church on Sunday Morning only now, “I am so glad when they to me, let us go to
the house of the Lord.”
