On "Shoulding"

Last week I wrote a blog about how I often "should" myself and in most cases that is not good - I shouldn't "should" myself. However, I realized this morning that sometimes it is not only OK to should yourself, but necessary... I went to church this morning because I knew I "should".

I hadn't been to church in several weeks... not because I was upset with anyone, not because I didn't want to worship, but because lately it has taken everything I have just to get up every morning during the week and go to work... to put one foot in front of the other and do what I HAVE to do in order to survive. It took everything in me to get up this morning, put some clothes on and walk in those doors. But I did it... because I knew I should. 

The worship was wonderful - great songs about God's amazing love. It was good to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

The message was great. I was a little worried about this one as I knew the pastor would be talking some about our vision statement and some new direction. Our church is expanding Wednesday night activities to include a meal and trying to reach out and serve and love our community. My weekdays are hard... by the time I get up at the "crack of dawn" and get a workout in and/or errands run and then grab a smoothie or something quick for supper, I am ready to wind down and relax before getting ready

This beautiful view is the ONLY good thing
about the crack of dawn!

to go to sleep to do it all again the next day.

However, the message didn't just talk about serving on Wednesday nights and try to recruit people. Our pastor, as always, gave a sound Scriptural message. And, while the father of lies tried to make me feel guilty about what I can't do, my Heavenly Father reminded me of things I CAN do. Our pastor also showed great sensitivity in understanding and stating that people are sometimes in a season of life where it takes all they have to just put one foot in front of the other and that Jesus understands that.

Fellowship was sweet - while I wanted to bolt out the door, not only was it pouring down rain, but I ended up in some good conversations with good friends. 

I am thankful to be a part of a church that teaches and lives Biblical Truth, I am thankful for friends who reached out to me when they noticed I was gone, to a good friend who took me to lunch yesterday and listened as I talked her ear off, I am thankful to be part of a church where I can come even when I am broken and barely getting by. Even when I can barely put one foot in front of the other I know I am deeply loved by my Heavenly Father and my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

I want to emphasize, that I am not saying missing a week of church is a sin - Scripture encourages us in Hebrews 10 to not neglect meeting together, but obviously there are times when we are sick, some people have kids that may be sick, and sometimes we just may need some extra sleep because of a difficult and long week.

As I left church I looked up to the sky and thought "The sky looks confused." It was dark and stormy looking off to the left and sunny and blue skies off to the right. I realized the sky wasn't confused, the storm had just passed through, and just as the storm passed through - the storms of my life will also pass. I wish I would have taken a picture, but this one I had taken at another time is very similar to what it was like:

I got in my car and the song "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick was playing. I never cease to be amazed at God's timing in music that "happens" to come on the radio - more "God-incidents" These are the lyrics:

She never slows down.
She doesn't know why but she knows that when she's all alone,

feels like its all coming down
She won't turn around
The shadows are long and she fears if she cries that first tear,

the tears will not stop raining down

[CHORUS]
So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

She won't make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself and the fears whispering if she stands she'll fall down
She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything she's running from wants to give up and lie down.

[CHORUS]
So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
Stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, what's lost can be found

[CHORUS]
So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

Standing in the rain and pressing on,

Sherri