Why We Need Church

Church has a very special place in my heart.

Church is something I know from my earliest memories. It has always been apart of my life.

When I was about ten years old I found myself wondering if I would attend church when I was an adult. I decided I wouldn't because I would have to dress up in uncomfortable clothes and be sociable.

I have to laugh when I remember that because I cannot imagine life without church.

Without going into much detail, my husband and I moved our lives from beautiful downtown Vancouver to not so pretty Surrey. We continued to attend our church downtown for almost a year until my husband got a job deeper into Surrey. We then chose, by God's grace, to leave our downtown church and look for a church closer to home so that we could expand our family out here and establish ourselves.

We were looking for a church from October to January and it was no picnic. We did meet some lovely people and visited a few nice places. The thing was, at all the churches we attended, it never felt like home.

It's funny to think that a place could feel like home the first time you go there but that's kind of what a church is.

I don't want to delve into the doctrine of the church I just want to express how much a church can help a family.

Finally, for my birthday, God gave us a church. It was the last church on my list of KJV Baptist churches in our area. We had prayed for one for so long.

We walked in and were greeted by young children who were immediately taken by my son and he was taken by them. The church is small and friendly. They bear each other's burdens and are closely knit to each other.

The biggest blessing in being led to this church is the transformation in my son.

He's learned to play with other children, he's learning what structure is and how to abide by it, he's learning to sit quietly. He gets excited when we pull into church.

He gets excited because he's loved there and he can be a two year old without having to worry about getting into trouble for doing what is natural to him.

Another thing about church- prayer. Never underestimate the power of having a church family bowing their knees with you when you need it the most. A good pastor watches over the flock of God and pays special attention to special needs. I don't think we will ever realize how much our prayers do for others.

It is also so nice to be able to relate to people who have the same heavenly father.

Earlier this year I felt the need to make a few valentine's and send them to some special people. I had the option of mailing them on Monday or Tuesday. My flesh was lazy and leaning toward Tuesday but I felt very sure that I needed to mail them on Monday. I mailed them on Monday morning and on Tuesday evening I got a text message from a very dear church friend saying she received the valentine's  on a really rough day when she needed it the most.

It just goes to show how God takes care of others through us if we are willing to be used.

If you feel a lack of support as a wife and mother, find a church. It is not easy being a wife and mother and you need all the support you can get. Church has many wives and mothers who understand so well the struggles and needs you have. They know exactly how to pray for you and how to help.

I will leave you with this, God didn't create the local body of believers for His benefit. He did it for ours. He's lived on this earth and He knows how tough it is in this world. Of course, He is the only one we will ever need and He is ultimately our rock and fortress, but He has given us the church to help, strengthen, and edify us. It is a gift.