why i love the church

don't get me wrong, for reasons i choose not to focus on here, i have spent my share of time being fed up with the "church."

but recently i have seen something new.  i've had a change of heart. and i hope this may encourage you too. 

and when i talk about the church i am not speaking of a building or a place.  or even the sunday morning gathering at that building.  nor am i referring to the large number of people who claim to be Christians with their words and their attendance, but are blind to the truth and the person of Jesus. 

when i talk about the church i am talking about the body of Christ.  true followers of Jesus who love Him, His Word, and His people.  and it just so happens that a good number of these people do meet at a particular building at a particular time.  and i want to be there with them.  and here's why:

i need them.  i need them because i am a sinner.  i need them because i have hard days with difficult circumstances.  i have bad moods and attitudes, ups and downs.  i have a marriage that needs support and accountability.  i have 3 kids that most days i don't know how to raise.  i have issues.  i have friends and family that have issues.  sometimes i feel like i'm drowning.  sometimes i feel like celebrating.  and i need people.  i need the church to pull me out from under the waves of life and enjoy the ride with me when times are good.

and they have.  when i struggled with depression, it was the church who mentored and encouraged me through the battle.  when we got married, it was the church who anointed our union.  when we had babies, it was the church who showered us with gifts.  when my husband had back surgery, it was the church who mowed our lawn and brought us meals.  when i dealt with post partum depression, it was the church who came to the rescue.  when we moved to a new town, it was the church who put boxes on the truck and sent us out, and the church who received us and put our boxes in our new home.  when i need someone to listen, it is the church on the other end of the phone.  when we celebrate, it is the church who parties with us.  when i am prideful and trying to do it on my own, it is the church who points me back to His face and His power.  and when i am lonely and unlovely, it is the church who reminds me of His presence and His unconditional LOVE.  and when i come to church on sunday weary or broken, it is the church who walks across the auditorium with a smile and a hug just for me. 

so for those reasons, i love the church.  i need the church. 
and just as equally, i need to be the church. 

Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."