I Love this Church because you were here.

I received this note on an offering envelope during the morning service recently.  It was written with her very best 6 yr old handwriting and it almost made me cry.  I received lot’s of very sweet cards and notes that day, but I feel like I will treasure this note above the prettiest store bought card that I might receive.  I love it because it was heartfelt and unexpected, but I also love it because it reminded me of what the church can be.

I love this church because you were here – What a wonderful definition of what the church can be. We talk a lot about the church not being the building but the people, but we still find ourselves referring to the building and the address when we talk about the church.  However, if we stop and think about what the church means to us, images of people come to mind.  That pastor who married us; that Sunday School teacher who taught our child about Jesus; that friend who stayed after church one Sunday and held us when we cried; those people who came in the middle of the night to the emergency room; the people who brought us food when our loved one died.

Why do we love our church?  I would put forth that one of the reasons people connect with a church is that they experience the love of Jesus in the people of God who are that church.  I love this church because you and you and you were here.  I love this church because you were Christ to me in a difficult time.  I love this church because you mourned with me and rejoiced with me.  I love this church because you rolled up your sleeves and worked beside me.  I love this church because your song, your lesson, your example brought me closer to God.

I love this church because you were here!  I would encourage you to take some time today to tell someone this very thing.  Your church is special because they were here.

Roger