Sunday mornings are hard for me. Physically hard.
It takes me a long time to get dressed these days. It takes me longer to find something to wear. I'm growing bigger and so I need bigger clothes to accommodate my growth. Getting nylons on is a joke. (Although, I figured out today that if I sit on the floor to put them on, that works much better.)
I have to eat a lot of foods in the morning in order to have enough blood sugar in my system so I don't pass out when I get to church. This takes a lot of time.
John leaves early for meetings or to participate in the choir and I am left to make sure Thomas is presentable. Teeth, clothes, tying shoes and more are still beyond him at this point.
By the time I got in the shower today, I wanted to cry. I was thinking that it's too hard to get ready for church, that I know people are going to comment on how big I am getting. And, even if they don't make the comment, they'll be watching to see how large I am this week!
Then I thought about people that aren't able to go to church at all because of physical disabilities. And, what if there are people that stay away from church because they are worried about their physical appearance? I'm sure that happens a lot. Maybe they feel like they don't have anything appropriate to wear. Or they know they've gained (or lost) weight recently and they feel self-conscious. They may feel judged and unwelcome.
So, I told myself what I've always told myself when I don't feel like going to church. "You go for Jesus."
No other reason. I go for Jesus because of all the things He has done and is doing for me.
All the other reasons, like friendship and acceptance, are nice. But they are not necessary.
Even though we struggle and may feel unworthy, or unloved, or ugly, or like we don't fit in, we still go for Him. He suffered physically and emotionally in ways that I cannot even begin to comprehend. I can keep going and keep trying because of Him.
One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”
Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations.
Come, Join with Us
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
2 comments:
When I was pregnant with Aaron I was so sick it was difficult to go and sit through all of church, even lying down on the couch in the foyer, so often I wondered why I even bothered and then I realized, if all my children learn from this experience is that we go to church that is enough. For 7 months that is the only reason I went, I know awful to say, but that was it.
I absolutely LOVE this post Heather! You are always so full of uplifting and encouraging words. And I'll bet you look amazing. I keep waiting for you to post pictures of your growing self. I love pregnancy pics. Pregnancy is such a true testament that God loves us, that He wants us to experience joy in this life, and that miracles really do happen. Pregnancy is so beautiful, don't ever think you are less than anyone when you are pregnant. In my humble opinion, you are so much more. I'm so happy for you!!!
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