MARCH 21, 2010

GETTING READY

FOR CHURCH

Scripture Reading- Hebrews 22-25

Why are so many families late for church? And why are those on time hurried, stressed, irritable, pushed, aggravated, pressured, scrambling about, and--well, you're getting the idea, aren't you? For many families, just the thought of Sunday morning causes frustration. Frustration comes from getting up late, from missing shoes, from spilled cartons of milk, from lost lesson books, from misplaced keys, and--of course--from lots of squabbling on the way to church. Again, I ask the question. Why!

We may find the answer in when we start getting ready. If we wait until Sunday morning to start getting ready for church, we're already in trouble. By sleeping in ( since there's no work or school ), we communicate that Sunday isn't as important as other days of the week. Many tasks we must get done for Sunday could be completed on Saturday. Ironing outfits, gathering Bibles, preparing breakfast, gibing the children baths, putting gas in the car, setting the table for dinner--these are tasks we can complete before that final hour before we leave for church.

Getting ready for church begins with attitude. It's amazing that families who are late for church are never late for school or work. If they were consistently late, the kids would get detention, and Dad would get fired. Except for rare occasions that can't be helped, lateness is an excuse. The reason is carelessness about the Lord's Day and the Lord's house.

Dedication and discipline enable families to treat the Lord's Day like the most important day of the week. We have no excuse for arriving at church in a frenzy, wishing we could skip the idea because of all the hassle we must go through. Changes begin with choices. Choose to get ready for church early.

ACTION POINT: Ask each family member to make a list of tasks he could do on Saturday to help prepare for Sunday morning.

-Tom Palmer-