Running To Church:  A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, ‘Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late! Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late!’ While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, ‘Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late…But please don’t shove me either!’

The other day, I told this joke to a group of women gathered to share fellowship after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I shared with them that I often felt like this little girl.  That got some laughs and head nods because most of them know me and some of them empathized with me about this issue of lateness.

Arriving “on time” has been a life-long problem for me.  I am convinced that I actually inherited this condition from my father, who was also chronically on the run to arrive on time.  It was always a mad dash on Sunday mornings to get everyone out the door, into the car and into the pew before the service started.  Our large family made quite an entrance as we filed up to the front of church and occupied a whole row. It was a situation where I really wanted to get there a little earlier to avoid the conspicuous attention that we received.

I no longer have the excuse of a large family to organize-just myself.  However, there is always something that comes along to block my good intentions.  I once thought that I needed to leave one half an hour before an event; now, I feel like a whole hour would be better!

Anyway, I don’t want to spend this time analyzing my tardiness problem.  I want to express my gratitude to the wonderful women who stepped forward to make the gathering fun, beautiful and fulfilling.  They accepted that I am a human with flaws who keeps praying for help and maybe an occasional “shove” from God. 

Gathering together with a group of people who share the same belief about God who loves us unconditionally and wants only the best for all of us is a truly energizing opportunity.  You can feel something in the air.  I describe it as the Holy Spirit.  It lifts me up and brushes me off when I fall.

I accept that my humanness has weaknesses.  And, God loves me anyway!  Unconditionally!  Amen!

Terri