Generosity – Coming to Church is Hard
Coming to church is hard. I remember having two little girls with lots of hair. I always wanted a bow in their hair for church and smocked dresses were a must. The Sunday School office was like the finish line on Sunday mornings. We made it. Most of the time it was not pretty, but we were here. I also think about the battles over church choir and coming to youth during middle school. My tagline was ‘it is just what we do.’ To be clear it was not easy but here we are.
So if it’s so hard why am I here? I think about the days when we could not be here together. I think about singing the Halleluiah Chorus along with the small but very talented choir on Easter Sunday 2020 and weeping. I immediately texted a very large group of my White Memorial Peeps. I needed to not feel alone on this Holy Day. The people I texted are a group of friends that I have met because of teaching Sunday School, attending and working on the Women’s Retreat Committee, showing up to Circle C, chaperoning Youth trips, and even teaching Vacation Bible School.
Showing up to church when it was hard has been worth it because I have built a community. I need that community. The Church needs me to show up and teach Sunday School or be a Confirmation Mentor, but when I show up I receive so much. I learn about my faith and I build relationships that have become a vital part of who I am. Life is like a long boat trip, sometimes it is smooth sailing and you feel ok – just cruising. Sometimes you catch a really big fish and you want everyone around to share in the joy. But there is also a fair amount of rough water and even times you feel like you may drown. In those times you need a community to keep you afloat. You need someone who helps you find hope when hope seems lost.
Life is hard, and we are not meant to do it alone. We need one another. So I challenge you in this season of Generosity to turn in your pledge card and give generously. The church needs you to do that but I also challenge you to sign up to do more this year. Whether you usher, teach Sunday school, volunteer to be a youth advisor, or attend a Circle. Find a way to commit yourself and show up. It may seem hard, but I promise that you will build your community. A community that shares values and prays together, that looks to help others in this world. A community that will bake casseroles or is a listening ear. You need this community and they need you.