I recommend my church because I love ...

I meant to post this a few weeks ago. I'm not sure why I didn't at the time. As things go, I'm in a different season now!

From sometime in June, likely during the week before Father's Day:
 
I'm going through another season in which, apparently, "resistance is futile for God is at work."

I know it's a season, because many of my devotionals and studies are referencing how growth happens in seasons; growth takes time; that it's important to have faith -- trust God! -- when growth and-or progress isn't apparent.

Frustrations and complications I encountered as I prepared to sing a solo at church Sunday have raised a bunch of questions about how I might be able to have more options for music and accompaniment when I sing. The only musical instrument I learned to play was French horn, and that's not something I can use to accompany my singing (even if I had one and still knew how to play it!). I tried various times to self-teach myself to play guitar or piano, to no avail. I'll admit the thought of taking lessons scares me. I'm not sure why I so strongly doubt I could learn.

Can I learn to play the piano or guitar? Should I even try? Where would I start? Is there someone I can work with who can assess my potential and help me work through the possibilities?

Before I get too caught up in those possibilities, I always start to think of other things in my life that are higher, more pressing priorities. Top of the list: household tasks, big and small, that hold Gene and me back.

Somehow, that's tied to wrestling with how to be faithful stewards of time, talents, resources.

And that leads me to the whole bit about being beyond frustrated with how things are going at the church where I am a member. How they are going seems painfully slow to me -- and more people seem to be leaving (mostly due to health or relocation) than new members arriving.

It doesn't help that travel has kept me from attending regularly. Adding to my frustration is that my husband and I provided funding to help launch online streaming of Sunday worship, which, in addition to the hope that it would be a "front door" to bring new people to the church, would help me stay connected when I'm away. As of early June, it has been more than six months since the donation, and still no live streaming.

So, when I went to church Sunday, I prayed to stay focused. I asked God to help me engage and to worship him and seek to be a blessing rather than insist that my needs be met.

Throughout the sermon, the pastor was gushing about why she likes church in general and this church in particular. Pastor Desi doesn't just like the church -- she loves the church. As she was wrapping up her message, she asked members to think about why we love our church.

Yikes! God, what can I say? I don't want to be negative. And I don't want to be dishonest.

This is the answer God put on my heart: I love my church because I like to see how God uses imperfect things to His glory.

I thought I would only be sharing this with my husband, who was aware of my frustrations and might appreciate my good faith effort to be positive.

But the man sitting on the other side of me nudged me and said, "Do you know why I love this church?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I get to hear you sing."

Oh. My. Lord.

Yes, that humbled me and put me back where I belong, where God planted me. I shared what I had written, confessed my embarrassment and thanked my friend for the unexpected compliment.

May I never forget: God is at work. He invites each of us to work with Him. It really doesn't take much -- but an effort to have a positive attitude goes a long way.  I thank God for another clear lesson about His faithfulness and love.