With Gratitude…
It’s quite fashionable to attack the church these days, to point out its shortcomings, mock its values, or try to write it off as completely irrelevant to the Christian experience, but I couldn’t feel more different. In fact, I consider it a great offense. If you love something you defend it, right? Well, Christ loves the church. So much so, that marriage is to be a reflection of that love. And so too, should we love the church if we are Christ followers. That doesn’t mean the church is perfect, we all know that, but the design is. And whenever that design is tampered with, it should grieve our hearts and motivate us to bring it to restoration to become the blessing to his people that it is meant to be.
I recently experienced part of its intended purpose when I lost my dad. I don’t need to explain that it’s been a tough time, but let me tell you, my church family has been an incredible support. I have received an unbelievable outpouring of love over the last two weeks, I couldn’t even begin to explain what a comfort that has been. A bit overwhelming at times, but I know I am not alone. I am deeply touched by those who have prayed for me, offered condolences and words of encouragement, shared in my pain with their own loss, sent cards and gifts, or just given me a hug to let me know they cared. No one made them do it, we just live in a community of believers that are bonded by our faith.
I don’t believe anyone who has truly experienced the church in this way could hope to tear it down. If you have and do, I find that shameful. But if you haven’t and wish you could experience that, I pray you do. Because honestly, there is a great mystery behind it. Knowing I could go anywhere in the world and if I am among fellow believers, I am among family. And my church family is beautiful. Not perfect, but being perfected. And I am overflowing with gratitude that God brought me to this community of believers. Thank you for loving me. 
