26…27…28…29…beep, beep, beep.  That’s my morning cup of coffee coming out of the microwave – for the 4^th time! 

I make it first thing when I get up to enjoy during my quiet time.  I usually finish about half of the cup before the tasks of the day begin.

I need to put that load of clothes in the dryer.   Let me just put my cup right here.

“Do you know where my phone is?”  “Are you going to walk?”

Time to fix breakfast.  Where is my coffee?  Oh….1^st time in the microwave.

You get the picture.  You begin a good thing, and then life happens.

The coffee in the cup is still good.  It is still coffee. But it is no longer hot.

This morning, as I retrieved the cup from the microwave for the 4^th time (please don’t cringe coffee purists) I thought, “This is why I need church!”

No, not for the coffee.  For the reheating.

During the week, I get sidetracked.  I don’t stop being a Christian.  In fact, that is where I live out the Christian life. Every. day.

But it is easy for my enthusiasm to cool off, my focus to dim, the distractions to take over, and the annoyances and struggles of living to become larger than they need to be.

Then comes church.  I gather with other believers, and we sing, and worship, and take in the teaching of the word.  I come away refreshed and refocused, with stamina for the week ahead.

Just like popping my lukewarm coffee into the microwave!

Right now, church doesn’t look like normal. We are worshipping from home with online services. We Zoom in for small group meetings. No handshakes. No hugs. No voices raised in praise around me. But it is still church. It is still a gathering of believers for the sole – or should I say ‘soul’ – purpose of drawing closer to our Lord. It is a blessing and a gift.

I don’t know if you have a church or not.  I do know that the pandemic has opened opportunities to ‘visit’ a lot of churches.  It is a great time to share worship with a lot of different people – without ever leaving your home.  You can even do Sunday church on Monday night, if that is when you wish to .join

So, before that coffee gets too cold, heat it up.

And don’t miss the opportunity to warm up your heart as well.

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Here are some to try: Thomasville Road; Lake Ellen

Photo – Courtesy of Pexels